Healthy Brain Study

About the study

We have a dream! Our goal is to discover how the brain works and how the brain effects our daily lives. The Healthy Brain Study hopes to answer these questions. This is a unique, long-term study carried out by Radboud University, Radboudumc and the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, together with other organizations, and volunteers in their thirties.

Why choose a hamburger over a salad? How does a certain food ingredient influence your mood and your decision to buy a new car? How does sitting and sleeping influence the way you deal with stress? What makes you decide to buy a house and which street to live on? Do you feel better in a relationship or on your own? What determines whether you feel happy? In short, why do people do what they do? The brain plays a major role in these types of questions. The more we know about the brain, the more questions we can answer about how we function in our daily lives. That's why Radboud University, Radboudumc and the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics are working together on this special study that aims to unravel the ‘thirties brain’.

What influences the brain?
During the Healthy Brain Study, we've monitored and tested over 900 thirty to forty-year-old volunteers from Nijmegen, Arnhem and the surrounding area. We selected people in their thirties because their brains are no longer developing. while the aging process had yet to start. Moreover, this group often has to deal with important life events that affect their well-being such as a career, a burnout, buying a house, having children or getting a divorce.

What contributes to happiness & vitality?
The Healthy Brain Study will investigate which social, biological and environmental factors influence the brain. Scientists can use the results to conduct new studies to resolve social issues. These can involve questions such as: how can I identify and prevent an upcoming burnout? With this new knowledge, we hope to learn how people can become happier, fitter, more self-reliant and more productive. We also aim to contribute to a more sustainable and affordable healthcare system.

Data collection

On December 30th, 2023, the last testing day took place. This means that all data has been collected in the meantime. In total, 724 participants have completed the entire study.

Collaboration

The Healthy Brain Study is a unique, long-term study carried out by Radboud University, Radboudumc and the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, together with other organizations, and volunteers in their thirties.
The more we know about the brain, the more questions we can answer about how we function in our daily lives.

The Healthy Brain Study will investigate which social, biological and environmental factors influence the brain. Scientists can use the results to conduct new studies to resolve social issues. These can involve questions such as: how can I identify and prevent an upcoming burnout? With this new knowledge, we hope to learn how people can become happier, fitter, more self-reliant and more productive. We also aim to contribute to a more sustainable and affordable healthcare system.

We can all make a valuable contribution to this important research. That's why we want to involve organizations and entrepreneurs in Nijmegen and the surrounding area. With the data collected and research questions answered we can support the development of new innovations and encourage positive social impacts.

If you are interested in collaborating in this exciting and innovative research project, please contact:

Arthur Willemsen, Business Developer Healthy Brain Study

arthur.willemsen@radboudumc.nl

06-30541668