PARTICIPATE NOW

Are you eager to participate in a MATR study right now?

Information about how to participate is included in each listing, but feel free to call the MATR at 1-800-872-8946 for more information. Be sure to keep an eye on this page to look for new studies that come up! See our Current Studies webpage for additional information about these studies which we are currently recruiting as well as other MATR-related studies. And as always, thank you for your willingness to consider participating!

New Study Announcement! Twin Spectrum Study - Exploring Cognition through Twins:

Did you know that each and every one of us displays attributes that span across a range, from ‘typical’ development to serious forms of delayed cognitive development? There is still so much that remains unknown about cognitive development and experts at the National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH) want to better understand the factors that impact this, particularly autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related conditions (like Asperger syndrome).

This is where twins come in! We are inviting twin families to take part in a survey that will help explore the cognitive spectrum. The study depends on a variety of insights from parents of twins (those with potential conditions, like autism spectrum disorders as well as those with more ‘typical’ development) to truly understand all the factors that might influence cognitive development. 

Who is needed?

  • Parent(s) with juvenile twin pairs – those with autism spectrum disorder and related conditions AND those without
  • Ages 6 through 17 years old
  • Identical OR Non-identical twin pairs

What’s Involved?

  • At least one parent/legal guardian completing a survey (online or by phone)
  • Survey items will ask about: family demographic info and structure; twins’ gestation & birth; zygosity; mental & physical health; development; education; social responsiveness; sleep; mood & anxiety; behaviors; conduct; etc.

Compensation?  Yes!

  • A $50 e-gift card (your choice of MasterCard, Amazon, Lowe’s, or Walmart) for completing the survey

Interested? Visit: Tell Me More to let us know.

New Study Announcement! Substance Use Resistance (SUR) in Twins Study:

Your experiences and insights matter! Share your insights to help shape the development of a research survey…

This study is unique in wanting to identify factors that help individuals resist developing a substance use problem altogether!  To do this, they must first identify factors (aka resistance factors) that have helped individuals not use or reduce their use of substances. These types of factors are unique to each individual’s experiences.  This is where participants like you come in.  The study wants to know your opinions and personal insights about any resistance factors that may have helped you decrease your use of substances or prevented your use altogether.  The study needs participants with a variety of experiences related to substance use whether you have never used substance or are currently using substances- or anything in between, then you would qualify for this study. 

Who is needed?

  • Adult twins – full pairs NOT necessary
  • Ages 30-70
  • Identical OR Non-identical
  • African American or Caucasian
  • Anywhere in the United States

What’s Involved?

  • All participants are asked to complete a survey and an online, interactive brainstorming session
  • Some participants will be asked to complete an online group concept mapping session
  • Some participants will be asked to provide additional insights in a virtual focus group session using Zoom
  • The study will use the information gathered in all sessions to help develop a research survey
  • All parts can be completed online or virtually.

Compensation?  Yes!

  • Up to $80 in e-gifts (your choice of MasterCard, Amazon, Lowe’s, or Walmart) for completing all study sessions. Not all participants will be invited to all sessions.
    • $15 for the survey + brainstorming session
    • $20 for the group concept mapping session
    • $45 for the virtual focus group

Interested? Visit: Tell Me More to let us know.

The Twin Voice Study:

Did you know…your voice may hold clues about your mental health?

The MATR is partnering with world-renowned twin researcher, Dr. Kenneth Kendler, on a new study that seeks to further explore whether subtle voice qualities can be used to help identify depression. Prior research has shown this is a possibility, but scientists need to better understand the role that genetics and the environment have on voice development. Twins are critically important to help the research team identify how much of a person’s genetics and environment or the combination of the two, contribute to human voice development.

Who is needed?

  • Female-Female Twin Pairs (full pairs needed)
  • Ages 30-60
  • Identical OR Non-identical
  • Any Race/Ethnicity
  • Anywhere in the United States

What’s Involved (if eligible)?

  • A voice recording session with a MATR Interviewer
  • Completing a survey

Compensation?  If Eligible - Yes!

  • Up to $40 in e-gifts (your choice of MasterCard, Amazon, Lowe’s, or Walmart):
    • $20 for the voice recording
    • $20 for the survey

Interested? Visit: Tell Me More to let us know.

MATR SURVEY FOR ADULTS

***The MATR Survey for Adults is in re-development using an updated software application. While this survey is predominantly ready for participants to complete, the MATR focused survey efforts on collecting information about how the pandemic is impacting adult twins and their children.  Once we complete the pandemic survey project, the MATR will focus efforts on the MATR Survey for Adults and all registered adult twins will be eligible to complete the survey. The survey will collect basic health and behavioral information. The answers to the survey questions will be kept by the MATR and will help us determine if you are eligible to participate in future studies looking into specific conditions or behaviors. If you are interested in participating once the survey is ready, please follow the link below to our Update Contact Info & Research Interests online form.

Please click HERE to update your contact information using a secure online form

ADOLESCENT BRAIN COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT (ABCD) STUDY

Currently, the MATR is not actively recruiting for the ABCD study, but may be again at some point in the future.  

National Institutes of Health (NIH) has funded groundbreaking research being carried out by a consortium of 21 academic agencies. Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is ONE of only four twin sites recruiting for this study that hopes to provide unique insight into the brain and cognitive development starting in childhood.

Participants the study will need include:

  • FULL PAIRS of Same-sex twins
  • 9 or 10 years old
  • Fraternal or identical

Study participation involves:

  • Completing a 20 min (approx.) phone call with the MATR to hear more about the study.
  • Coming to VCU to complete the study
  • Compensation is provided

If interested:

Contact the Mid-Atlantic Twin Registry (MATR) and let us know that you want to learn more about the ABCD Study. Please let us know the full names and DOB of the twin pair. Parents, please provide your full name as well. You can reach us at: