Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR)

SRC FAQ

What are clinical trials?
Our sleep research studies are considered clinical trials. Clinical trials are medical research investigations to test potential new treatments or interventions. The purpose of the majority of our studies is to develop new strategies and technologies to protect our Soldiers from the harmful effects of sleep loss. These studies are conducted under strict regulations and guidance from the Food and Drug Administration, the Office of Human Subjects Protections, and adhere to military regulations regarding human research. These measures ensure our trials are safe and involve the least possible risk to volunteers.
How do I get onto the military base?
To get on post you will need to present a gate guard with a valid government (state or federal) picture ID. Anyone traveling with you will also be required to present a valid ID. Preferred forms of ID include military ID cards and state issued driver's license. If you are driving to WRAIR, a valid registration is required for the vehicle. As security procedures are subject to change at short notice, it is a good idea to check with us before each visit to ensure requirements have not changed. Just call our front desk at 301-319-9287. Click here for more information.
What is informed consent?
Informed consent is a process to give you important information to consider before you agree to participate in a clinical trial. You will review all study details, and our staff will answer any questions you may have. You will also get an informed consent document that has all of the information about the study, including the purpose, tests and procedures involved, risks and benefits, and contact information for the study staff. If you decide to participate you will sign and date the form, and a study staff member will as well. You will be given a copy of this signed consent form to keep. Please take time to make your decision. Taking part in a study is completely voluntary. If you do not want to participate or decide to withdraw, there will be no penalty or loss of any benefits to which you are otherwise entitled, and you may withdraw at any time.
What happens during a study screening visit?
To determine if you are eligible for a study, you must come into the lab for a screening visit. These visits can last for 2-3 hours. You must first go through the security process and sign in at the front desk. Then you will receive a briefing about study details, take a study comprehension assessment, consent to participate, and complete some questionnaires. Next, your vital signs will be taken, and you will provide a sample of your urine, saliva, and blood. You will also meet with a study physician who will complete a brief physical exam and medical history. You will be compensated $25 for the screening visit whether or not you are eligible for the study.
Will I be compensated for my time and effort?
Yes. Volunteers are compensated for screening visits and participation in study sessions using pre-paid cards. If you withdraw from a study, your compensation will be prorated based on the amount of time you have participated, as well as the reason for withdrawing. For details regarding compensation for specific studies, refer to your consent form or call the recruitment line at 301-319-9287.
What is involved if I enroll in a study?
Requirements and time commitments vary based on the study. However, most studies start with an at-home phase that requires wearing an activity monitor on your wrist that looks and feels like a watch. The next phase often requires staying overnight or full-time in the sleep lab. While in the lab you will complete a series of tests on a schedule and may undergo either sleep deprivation or sleep restriction. You may be required to wear electrodes on your scalp to monitor your sleep and be recorded on video when you are sleeping. After you undergo a period of sleep loss you will be given at least one full night of recovery sleep. Before you complete the study, a Study Medical Investigator will complete a brief exam to ensure you are safe to leave the lab. Please refer to your consent form or call the recruitment line with questions about what participation involves – 301-319-9287.
What will I do in the lab?
Each study has different types of tests and questionnaires that you will periodically complete while you stay in the lab. Staff will instruct you when and how to complete these requirements. Otherwise, you are free to do activities of your choice in the lab lounge area. There is cable TV, a DVD player, and a collection of board games. You are allowed to bring activities from home such as books, games, etc., to occupy yourself. However, electronic devices such as a phone or laptop will be safely stored when you arrive at the lab. Unless there is an emergency, you will not be able to be in touch with friends or family during your stay(s) in the lab. Please ensure your loved ones know you are participating in a study and that you will be out of touch during this time.

Directions to SRC

General Information:

The WRAIR Sleep Research Center (SRC) is located at 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, Md. 20910 on Fort Detrick's Forest Glen Annex.

You MUST have a valid U.S. government-issued or state-issued photo identification, such as a driver's license, military ID, CAC or U.S. passport in order to gain access onto base.
Foreign passports/IDs WILL NOT be accepted.
If you DO NOT have a military ID or CAC, you MUST go to the Visitor’s Center (located in building 605) to be issued a visitor’s pass. Building 605 is located just inside the gate to your right. Once you exit building 605 with your visitor’s pass, proceed across the parking lot, cross the street at the crosswalk and turn right onto the sidewalk. The first building on your left will be the Daniel K. Inouye Building (building 503). Please keep your visitor's pass with you. Do not leave it in your vehicle.
If you have a U.S. military ID, DOD ID or CAC, you DO NOT need to get a visitor’s pass. Proceed directly to building 503.
When you enter building 503, you must check in at the front desk and inform them that you are going to the SRC.

Driving Directions:

Click here for driving directions to WRAIR. If you DO NOT have a military ID or CAC and plan to drive on base, please have your driver's license, vehicle registration and insurance card readily available upon entering the gate. If you do not have these items, you will have to park outside of the gate (on Brookville Road) and walk onto base. Free parking is available on the Forest Glen Annex. The main parking lot is located on your left at the 4-way stop.

Public Transportation:

Metro Rail Service:

Take the Red Line to the Silver Spring Metro Station.
To plan your trip click here
For more information: Call 202-637-7000

Montgomery County Ride On:
Take the Montgomery County Ride On Bus Route 2 from the Silver Spring Metro Station towards the Brookville Ride On Operations Center

Departures between 6:34am & 8:59am:

Take the Ride On Bus Route 2
This bus WILL stop on base
Exit the bus at the Forest Glen Annex - Fort Detrick

Departures before 6:34am & after 8:59am:

Take the Ride On Bus Route 2
This bus WILL NOT stop on base
Exit the bus at the Ride On Operations Center
Proceed down Brookville Road
At the stoplight, turn left to enter the Forest Glen Annex

For Ride On Route 2 bus schedule, click here

For a map of the Paul S. Sarbanes Transit Center (Silver Spring Metro Station), click here

For more information: Dial 311 inside Montgomery County or call 240-777-0311 from anywhere outside of Montgomery County.

Past Studies

WRAIR #2382 Relative Sensitivity of Three PVT Versions to Sleep Deprivation
WRAIR #2288 Physiological and Personality Predictors of Resilience
WRAIR #2525 Crossover Investigation of Response to Sleep Loss
WRAIR #2311 Physicians and Medical Students Study

WRAIR #2382 Relative Sensitivity of Three PVT Versions to Sleep Deprivation
The purpose of this study is to compare different existing tests and devices in their tracking of sleep loss and sleep loss-related performance declines.

Duration: approximately 3 weeks (2 weeks at home)

Max Compensation: contact us for information

Requirements

✔ MUST be 18-39 years of age and healthy
✔ MUST be a non-smoker
✔ MUST test negative for alcohol, nicotine, and illegal drugs
✘ CANNOT take any medications (birth control allowed)
NOTE: Active duty miltary and federal personnel must be on leave status for the in-lab phase of the study

2492 Brochure

WRAIR #2288 Physiological and Personality Predictors of Resilience

The purpose of this study is to understand the link between measures of resilience, sleep deprivation, and pain tolerance

Duration: contact us for information

Max Compensation: contact us for information

Requirements:

✔ MUST be 18-39 years of age and healthy
✔ MUST test negative for alcohol, nicotine, and illegal drugs
✘ CANNOT take certain prescription medicines (birth control allowed)
NOTE: Active duty military and ferderal personnel must be on leave status

WRAIR #2525 Crossover Investigation of Response to Sleep Loss

The purpose of this study is to determine how partial and total sleep deprivation predicts performance in healthy volunteers.

Duration: approximately 40 days (approximately 3.5 weeks in-lab)
Max Compensation: contact us for information

Requirements

✔ MUST be aged 18-39 and in good health
✔ MUST be a non-smoker
✔ MUST test negative for alcohol, nicotine, and illegal drugs
✘ CANNOT be pregnant or breast-feeding
NOTE: Active duty military and federal personnel must be off duty or on leave status during study activities

Study brochure

WRAIR #2311 Physicians and Medical Students Study

The purpose of this study is to determine how caffeine and sleep loss affect operationally relevant cognitive processing, using well‐validated questions related to the practice of internal medicine.

Duration: approximately three weeks (2 weeks at home)
Max Compensation: contact us for information

Requirements

✔ MUST be a medical student (year 3 or 4), medical intern, medical resident specializing in internal medicine, OR board certified internist
✔ MUST be aged 18-50
✔ MUST be a non-smoker
✔ MUST must test negative for alcohol, nicotine, and drugs
✘ CANNOT take certain prescription medicines (birth control allowed)
NOTE: active duty military and federal personnel must be on leave status for the in-lab phase of the study.

Study Brochure

MRDC FAMILY