How are appointments booked?
What if I am not from Toronto?
What if I was not involved in fights or had few or no concussions? Should I still participate?
I am only recently retired from professional hockey, or I have just graduated from university. Should I wait until I am older to participate?
Do I have to participate in all components of the study?
Who will have access to my personal information?
What if I am claustrophobic and not comfortable with having an MRI?
What if I have metal implants and want to participate in the MRI?
What if I don’t have any implants, but have been working with metal?
How can other retired professional hockey players and university alumni, who haven’t been contacted, participate in the study?
Can people who were not high-level athletes participate in this study?
Do comparison participants (volunteers who are not professional hockey or university alumni) get treated the same as alumni?
Can I get results from this study?
If I participate in this study and develop a health condition later, will my doctors be able to access the study data?
What if a problem is found on the MRI scan?
What is your position on the controversies surrounding head injuries in hockey that have been in the media?
Who is funding this study?
Will the findings be screened or censored by any agency?
Are there any long-term effects associated with the collection of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF; also referred to as a spinal tap)?
My loved one just passed away and I want to donate his brain to science. How can I do this?
What if I am not from Toronto?
What if I was not involved in fights or had few or no concussions? Should I still participate?
I am only recently retired from professional hockey, or I have just graduated from university. Should I wait until I am older to participate?
Do I have to participate in all components of the study?
Who will have access to my personal information?
What if I am claustrophobic and not comfortable with having an MRI?
What if I have metal implants and want to participate in the MRI?
What if I don’t have any implants, but have been working with metal?
How can other retired professional hockey players and university alumni, who haven’t been contacted, participate in the study?
Can people who were not high-level athletes participate in this study?
Do comparison participants (volunteers who are not professional hockey or university alumni) get treated the same as alumni?
Can I get results from this study?
If I participate in this study and develop a health condition later, will my doctors be able to access the study data?
What if a problem is found on the MRI scan?
What is your position on the controversies surrounding head injuries in hockey that have been in the media?
Who is funding this study?
Will the findings be screened or censored by any agency?
Are there any long-term effects associated with the collection of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF; also referred to as a spinal tap)?
My loved one just passed away and I want to donate his brain to science. How can I do this?
How are appointments booked?
You will be contacted from someone on our research team, who will work with you to book an appointment time that works best for you. Some components of our study can be completed on different days, so you will have the option of completing the study over multiple appointments.
You will be contacted from someone on our research team, who will work with you to book an appointment time that works best for you. Some components of our study can be completed on different days, so you will have the option of completing the study over multiple appointments.
What if I am not from Toronto?
If you do not live in Toronto, but are eligible and interested in participating, we will attempt to cover your transportation costs and other expenses and arrange accommodations for your stay.
If you do not live in Toronto, but are eligible and interested in participating, we will attempt to cover your transportation costs and other expenses and arrange accommodations for your stay.
What if I was not involved in fights or had few or no concussions? Should I still participate?
Yes. We are very eager to test all alumni. We need to test as many former players as possible, with as much diversity as possible, to ensure the most valid research results. This includes players from every position, as well as players who had both short and long careers.
Yes. We are very eager to test all alumni. We need to test as many former players as possible, with as much diversity as possible, to ensure the most valid research results. This includes players from every position, as well as players who had both short and long careers.
I am only recently retired from professional hockey, or I have just graduated from university. Should I wait until I am older to participate?
No. By participating now, you will be eligible for the longitudinal element of the study, where you will be tested every four years for any changes in brain function. Furthermore, by participating now, you will serve as a younger comparison subject to older alumni.
No. By participating now, you will be eligible for the longitudinal element of the study, where you will be tested every four years for any changes in brain function. Furthermore, by participating now, you will serve as a younger comparison subject to older alumni.
Do I have to participate in all components of the study?
This study has several components including some paper-and-pencil tasks, MRI, and a standard neurological exam. To achieve maximum research impact, volunteers are encouraged to participate in all components for which they are eligible. However, as with all of our studies, if there is a particular component you are not comfortable with or do not wish to participate in for any reason, you are free to withdraw from that component of the study. This will not affect your participation in other parts of the study.
This study has several components including some paper-and-pencil tasks, MRI, and a standard neurological exam. To achieve maximum research impact, volunteers are encouraged to participate in all components for which they are eligible. However, as with all of our studies, if there is a particular component you are not comfortable with or do not wish to participate in for any reason, you are free to withdraw from that component of the study. This will not affect your participation in other parts of the study.
Who will have access to my personal information?
Following the ethics and confidentiality guidelines governing our research, your identity and personal information will only be available to study investigators, and will not be shared with anyone outside of the study. Any samples and data collected during your assessment will be labeled with a code, and we will use only this code to keep track of your data.
Following the ethics and confidentiality guidelines governing our research, your identity and personal information will only be available to study investigators, and will not be shared with anyone outside of the study. Any samples and data collected during your assessment will be labeled with a code, and we will use only this code to keep track of your data.
What if I am claustrophobic and not comfortable with having an MRI?
If you have significant claustrophobia, you will likely not be able to participate in the MRI scan. All participants undergoing an MRI will take part in a session using a MRI simulator or mock scanner. This is a safe and easy way to get a sense of what the scan will feel like. If you are unsure about your claustrophobia, the simulator test may be helpful in determining whether or not you can tolerate an actual MRI scan.
If you have significant claustrophobia, you will likely not be able to participate in the MRI scan. All participants undergoing an MRI will take part in a session using a MRI simulator or mock scanner. This is a safe and easy way to get a sense of what the scan will feel like. If you are unsure about your claustrophobia, the simulator test may be helpful in determining whether or not you can tolerate an actual MRI scan.
What if I have metal implants and want to participate in the MRI?
There are certain metal implants that have been tested and are known to be safe in an MR environment. If you have a metal implant and wish to take part in the MRI component of this study, we will need to determine the safety of your implant in an MR environment. In order to do so, we may request your surgical records from the attending physician or institution where surgery was performed. Your records will help us determine whether it is safe for you to have an MRI scan. In the case that your implant has not yet been tested or is deemed unsafe in the MR machine, you will not be able to take part in the MRI component of the study.
There are certain metal implants that have been tested and are known to be safe in an MR environment. If you have a metal implant and wish to take part in the MRI component of this study, we will need to determine the safety of your implant in an MR environment. In order to do so, we may request your surgical records from the attending physician or institution where surgery was performed. Your records will help us determine whether it is safe for you to have an MRI scan. In the case that your implant has not yet been tested or is deemed unsafe in the MR machine, you will not be able to take part in the MRI component of the study.
What if I don’t have any implants, but have been working with metal?
Working closely with metal may lead to metal fragments in your eyes, making it unsafe for you to take part in the MRI. If you have been working with metal, we will need to ensure that there are no metal fragments in your eyes. In order to do so, you will be required to have an orbital x-ray (or x-ray of the eyes). This process is similar to getting a regular x-ray. We will either provide you with a requisition form, or you can obtain one from your family physician, and the results will be forwarded directly to us, making the process easier for you. If you wish, we can provide you with a copy of your x-ray results.
Working closely with metal may lead to metal fragments in your eyes, making it unsafe for you to take part in the MRI. If you have been working with metal, we will need to ensure that there are no metal fragments in your eyes. In order to do so, you will be required to have an orbital x-ray (or x-ray of the eyes). This process is similar to getting a regular x-ray. We will either provide you with a requisition form, or you can obtain one from your family physician, and the results will be forwarded directly to us, making the process easier for you. If you wish, we can provide you with a copy of your x-ray results.
How can other retired professional hockey players and university alumni, who haven’t been contacted, participate in the study?
Other alumni who are interested in participating, but haven’t been contacted by our team, are welcome to contact Laryssa Levesque at (416) 785 2500 x3100 or llevesque@research.baycrest.org.
Other alumni who are interested in participating, but haven’t been contacted by our team, are welcome to contact Laryssa Levesque at (416) 785 2500 x3100 or llevesque@research.baycrest.org.
Can people who were not high-level athletes participate in this study?
Along with recruiting professional hockey and university alumni, we are also recruiting males from the general public as comparison participants. We are particularly interested in testing healthy friends and family members of professional hockey and university alumni. If you are (or know of) a healthy male, aged 35 or older, and are interested in participating in this study, please contact Laryssa Levesque at (416) 785 2500 x3100 or llevesque@research.baycrest.org.
Along with recruiting professional hockey and university alumni, we are also recruiting males from the general public as comparison participants. We are particularly interested in testing healthy friends and family members of professional hockey and university alumni. If you are (or know of) a healthy male, aged 35 or older, and are interested in participating in this study, please contact Laryssa Levesque at (416) 785 2500 x3100 or llevesque@research.baycrest.org.
Do comparison participants (volunteers who are not professional hockey or university alumni) get treated the same as alumni?
Control participants will have the opportunity to participate in the same components of the study as the professional hockey and university alumni. Control participants will be provided with the same compensation as professional hockey and university alumni.
Control participants will have the opportunity to participate in the same components of the study as the professional hockey and university alumni. Control participants will be provided with the same compensation as professional hockey and university alumni.
Can I get results from this study?
Any published findings from this study will be made available to all participants. Most of the tests are research measures. They are interpreted as group averages and not the individual level. Therefore, we do not provide individual test results to participants. However, some of the tests provide useful medical information. At your request, we can provide a brief report of certain test findings to your physician. If any medically significant findings are noted, these would be provided to your physician, with your permission.
Any published findings from this study will be made available to all participants. Most of the tests are research measures. They are interpreted as group averages and not the individual level. Therefore, we do not provide individual test results to participants. However, some of the tests provide useful medical information. At your request, we can provide a brief report of certain test findings to your physician. If any medically significant findings are noted, these would be provided to your physician, with your permission.
If I participate in this study and develop a health condition later, will my doctors be able to access the study data?
At your request we can provide a brief report of certain test findings to your doctor. A copy of the MRI scan can be provided to your physician, but this will not be accompanied by a report from a radiologist. Moreover, it is not conducted with the same settings as a clinical scan. If your doctor requires a brain scan for clinical purposes, he or she would need to order a separate scan through a standard clinical referral procedure.
At your request we can provide a brief report of certain test findings to your doctor. A copy of the MRI scan can be provided to your physician, but this will not be accompanied by a report from a radiologist. Moreover, it is not conducted with the same settings as a clinical scan. If your doctor requires a brain scan for clinical purposes, he or she would need to order a separate scan through a standard clinical referral procedure.
What if a problem is found on the MRI scan?
The MRI scan being done is designed to answer research questions, not to examine your brain medically. This MRI scan is not a substitute for one that a doctor would order, and it may not show problems that would be picked up by a medical MRI scan. However, should we note an atypical finding on your MRI scan, we will contact you to help you arrange medical follow-up to interpret the significance of the findings, if any. We may also ask a radiologist, or other health professional, to look at your scan, and by signing this consent form you agree to release the scan for review. It is possible that you could be unnecessarily worried if a problem were suspected, but not actually found.
The MRI scan being done is designed to answer research questions, not to examine your brain medically. This MRI scan is not a substitute for one that a doctor would order, and it may not show problems that would be picked up by a medical MRI scan. However, should we note an atypical finding on your MRI scan, we will contact you to help you arrange medical follow-up to interpret the significance of the findings, if any. We may also ask a radiologist, or other health professional, to look at your scan, and by signing this consent form you agree to release the scan for review. It is possible that you could be unnecessarily worried if a problem were suspected, but not actually found.
What is your position on the controversies surrounding head injuries in hockey that have been in the media?
As researchers, we do not take positions on media presentations. While it is known that serious head injuries can affect thinking and behavior, no one has done a thorough study of factors affecting brain health in professional athletes. In completing comprehensive assessments of brain and behavior, we aim to provide useful information on all factors involved in brain health in professional hockey and university alumni. We believe that this information will contribute to knowledge about healthy and unhealthy brain aging in general, not just in high-level athletes.
As researchers, we do not take positions on media presentations. While it is known that serious head injuries can affect thinking and behavior, no one has done a thorough study of factors affecting brain health in professional athletes. In completing comprehensive assessments of brain and behavior, we aim to provide useful information on all factors involved in brain health in professional hockey and university alumni. We believe that this information will contribute to knowledge about healthy and unhealthy brain aging in general, not just in high-level athletes.
Who is funding this study?
This study receives funding from Baycrest Health Sciences, which has a long-standing association with professional hockey alumni to raise funds to support brain research. The study was also funded through a Canadian Institute for Health Research (CIHR) 1-year catalyst grant. The longitudinal component of this study is now being funded through a 5-year CIHR operating grant (2014-2019).
This study receives funding from Baycrest Health Sciences, which has a long-standing association with professional hockey alumni to raise funds to support brain research. The study was also funded through a Canadian Institute for Health Research (CIHR) 1-year catalyst grant. The longitudinal component of this study is now being funded through a 5-year CIHR operating grant (2014-2019).
Will the findings be screened or censored by any agency?
We are independent and unbiased in our research methods and reporting. As part of the scientific method, our research findings will be reviewed by anonymous peers before publication.
We are independent and unbiased in our research methods and reporting. As part of the scientific method, our research findings will be reviewed by anonymous peers before publication.
Are there any long-term effects associated with the collection of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF; also referred to as a spinal tap)?
Typically, there are no long-term effects of CSF collection. Very rarely, one may experience a headache following the procedure. However, to reduce the likelihood of a headache, we take a number of precautions to make the procedure as comfortable as possible for our participants. The procedure is performed by a certified neurologist and participants are carefully monitored during and immediately after the procedure to ensure that no side effects result. For more information on this procedure, please see this video.
Typically, there are no long-term effects of CSF collection. Very rarely, one may experience a headache following the procedure. However, to reduce the likelihood of a headache, we take a number of precautions to make the procedure as comfortable as possible for our participants. The procedure is performed by a certified neurologist and participants are carefully monitored during and immediately after the procedure to ensure that no side effects result. For more information on this procedure, please see this video.
My loved one just passed away and I want to donate his brain to science. How can I do this?
To ensure that your wishes are honoured, please contact us immediately by clicking here or call us at 416-785-2500 ext. 3100
To ensure that your wishes are honoured, please contact us immediately by clicking here or call us at 416-785-2500 ext. 3100
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