Brain Health Study – Study Partner FAQs

If possible, we would like our participants to choose a Study Partner to come to the research centre visit with them. Study Partners can be a family member or a friend who knows the UK Biobank participant well.

No, you can choose if you want to be in this study or not.

If you have been asked to take part as a Study Partner, your decision will not affect the ability of your relative/friend to take part, nor their ongoing relationship with UK Biobank.

If you have been nominated as a Study Partner by your relative/friend, we would like you to come to the research centre with them. At the research centre, we would like you to complete a questionnaire about your relative/friend’s symptoms and daily living (if they agree to this).

In rare cases, we may ask Study Partners to act as a personal consultee for your relative/friend. This would mean helping express the wishes of your relative/friend to the centre staff about their participation.

We can arrange door-to-door transport if that would be helpful. Otherwise, we can reimburse your travel expenses. Please see our Brain Health Study travel expenses policy for more details.

The risks of taking part are minimal. To ensure you are safe to enter the MRI scanning room, we will ask you some safety questions. Study Partners that pass these safety questions will be allowed in the MRI scanning room, should your relative/friend benefit from your presence whilst they are in the scanner.