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Research participants needed for neurofibromatosis study focused on reading difficulties

The Vanderbilt Education and Brain Sciences Research Lab is seeking participants age 8 to 20 for a research study focusing on reading difficulties and neurofibromatosis. Participants are needed for two different arms of the study:

  • Individuals age 8–20 with clinical diagnosis of NF1 (neurofibromatosis Type 1) and known or suspected reading difficulties
  • Individuals age 8–20 with reading difficulties but no diagnosis of NF1

Study recruitment will be ongoing for the next three and a half to four years, providing funding continues. The study, which will last about 26 weeks, involves an initial phone screening to determine eligibility, lab visits at Vanderbilt, intensive reading interventions, MRI scans and, for some participants, an investigational study medication. Participants will be compensated up to $1,050, in addition to travel reimbursement for families living outside Middle Tennessee.

The goal of the study is to determine the best ways in which people with neurofibromatosis Type 1 who struggle with reading can learn to become good readers. The principal investigator of the study is Laurie Cutting, Patricia and Rodes Hart Professor of Special Education at Peabody College, professor of pediatrics in the Vanderbilt School of Medicine, and associate director of the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center.

Please see the two flyers below for more detailed information about the study.

For further information, email educationbrain@vanderbilt.edu or call (615) 875-5534.