As part of the “Brain Awareness Week ” a new brain test APP has been developed to help Neuroscientists. The information collected will help University College London to better understand how the brain works.
The unique scientific experiment is being used by allowing people to play games on their mobile device. The games test your memory, your impulsiveness, your attention and decision-making.
It’s simple to get involved if you have a mobile device, tablet, laptop or computer. Play by downloading the free brain test app then play the games at your own pace.
Contribute to Neuroscience by Playing Games
Each time you play the mobile games you’ll be contributing data to a huge scientific experiment. You will be taking part in research that could previously only be conducted on small groups of volunteers in the lab.
The Great Brain Experiment will look at memory, how we might take risks, impulsive responses and how well the mind’s eye can see. It will allow the researchers to explore questions that are normally impossible to ask.
Dr Rick Adams, from the ‘Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging’, says: “We wanted something that shows people what neuroscience is really about. It’s not all brains in jars or men in white coats.
It’s actually trying to answer questions all of us are interested in, like ‘What makes me happy?’. We hope that people enjoy our app, tell their friends and help us answer some important scientific questions along the way.”
Take part and get the brain test app
You can easily to take part in the brain test by simply playing the game on your mobile phone. You can find more information on how to download the app to play on your mobile phone or how to play using Google Play on the great brain experiment website
Well, I finally got around to playing the memory game on my iPhone last night and it was an interesting and fun game to play. You play four games altogether that test various parts of the brain’s ability. The four tests areas are –
1. The ability to remember
2. Are you impulsive
3. How much do you see
4. What makes you happy
You will need to register a few general details before you begin to play the game. Things like your age, your education and your location. There is no requirement for you to give your personal details. So the test is totally anonymous.
You can go at your own pace between the 4 games. You are given a score at the end of each game to let you know how you did compared to other people taking the test.
The results are sent anonymously online to the scientists who will collect the data. This then helps them in their work to find out more information on how the brain works.
Take the Free Brain Test
Update 27th May 2022
Sorry but the free brain test has now ended
I downloaded The Great Brain experiment app 9 years ago. I still have it on my phone, and rediscovered it recently. It still functions, though no longer connects to the server to upload results. I would be interested to find out what were the results or conclusions of the data collected. Were these published anywhere?
Hello Joan,
Thanks for the question. I did follow up and try to find out the results of the Great Brain Experiment but did not hear back. Now you have prompted me I shall chase it up again and try to find out the results. Hopefully I can come back to you with an answer.
I do know that The University College of London are supporting Alzheimer’s Research UK with recent evidence they have collected (although I’m not sure if this evidence was collected during the Great Brain Experiment) by launching a new digital tool to help people keep their brain healthy.
There is a link to the test below. I hope you find it of interest.
https://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/brain-health/check-in/