Imaging study
Your exciting part in the world's largest imaging project
The UK Biobank imaging project is collecting scans of the brains, hearts, abdomens, and bones of 100,000 volunteers.
During the past ten years, around 85,000 of you have helped us to collect vast amounts of imaging data by attending your imaging visits.
We think that your altruism is amazing.
Because of you, these imaging data are providing scientists with unprecedented insights into the health of half a million people. Our global community of approved researchers are combining these imaging data with other information, like your lifestyle habits and genes, to understand how the diseases of ageing develop.
UK Biobank’s imaging project is the result of a collaboration between the government-funded Medical Research Council (MRC), Wellcome, the British Heart Foundation (BHF), and Dementias Platform UK.
If you would like to attend your imaging visit, please call the Participant Resource Centre on 0800 0 276 276.
What would my imaging visit involve?
Your brain, heart, abdomen, bones, and eyes will be scanned, plus we will collect information about your health and lifestyle, and a small donation of blood. Our Imaging Centre team will also be on hand to make sure you have a comfortable day and to answer any questions you might have.
Although MRI scanners can be a little noisy, participants tell us that the time spent in the scanners can actually be relaxing.
Are you interested in taking part?
Call our team to take part in our imaging project or if you have further questions. If you call us we will complete a short telephone questionnaire with you. This is to make sure that it is safe for us to scan you.
If you would like to attend, please call the Participant Resource Centre on 0800 0 276 276.
What to expect on the day
Then and now: our repeat imaging project
We have also begun our repeat imaging project, which is scanning 60,000 of you again. This means that scientists can compare your first set of scans with your second. In doing so, they can understand how changes to the shapes, sizes, and appearances of your organs link to diseases like dementia, heart disease, and cancer.
Additional funding to re-scan 60,000 participants is being provided by the Medical Research Council (MRC), the company Calico, and the philanthropic Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI).
UK Biobank participant completing a questionnaire at an Imaging Centre
Will you tell me if you spot something wrong with my health?
The scans we conduct are not intended to diagnose disease. They are not designed to find any particular abnormalities and will not be routinely analysed by doctors or other specialists. The technicians (radiographers) who do the scans will be looking at the images to make sure of their quality, rather than looking for evidence of any health problems.
Where are our initial Imaging Centres?
Reading Assessment Centre
Unit 3B, Pincents Kiln Industrial Park, Pincents Kiln, Calcot, Theale, Reading RG31 7SD.
Bristol Assessment Centre
Unit G4b, Bolingbroke Way, Patchway, Bristol, BS34 6FE.
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