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Optional (wellness research)

Research Consent

This optional consent lets CogniSci use your de-identified data and any leftover saliva for research and product improvement. Not required to purchase or use membership. No discounts or incentives. No individual results returned.

Version 1.1 · Last updated: October 30, 2025

Sponsor/Investigator: CogniSci Labs Inc. (“CogniSci”)
Address:
CogniSci Labs Inc.
330 S Second Ave
Suite 200 1364
Minneapolis, MN 55401
Contact: research@cogniscilabs.com • (#[insert phone])

1) Key Terms (Plain Language)

De-identified data. Information that does not reasonably identify you (direct identifiers removed; codes kept separately).
Leftover sample. Any saliva remaining after your purchased wellness test is completed.
External researchers. Universities or qualified organizations under agreements that forbid re-identification and limit uses to research only.

2) Summary (Plain Language)

  • What this is. Optional consent allowing CogniSci to use your de-identified data and/or leftover saliva for research and product improvement beyond your purchased wellness service.
  • No impact on membership. Your choice will not affect eligibility, pricing, rate locks, perks, shipping, or support for any CogniSci membership plan.
  • How you consent. On the membership checkout page, you may opt in by selecting the Research Consent checkbox. If you do not select it, you are not enrolled.
  • No results returned. We will not return individual research results; this is not medical care or a diagnosis.
  • Possible indirect benefit. Research may improve future versions of methods/reports; no individual benefit is guaranteed.
  • Withdrawal. You may withdraw later (see §11). Withdrawal will not affect data already used in completed analyses.
  • No financial incentive. Participation does not provide any discount, payment, or other financial incentive.
  • Possible risks. Privacy risks from misuse/improper access; potential group-level stigmatization; no medical/clinical benefit is promised.

3) Purpose of the Research

Aim. Improve understanding of saliva cfDNA patterns related to brain wellness and develop/train/test/validate algorithms, QC, and workflows that may enhance CogniSci’s wellness reports and features.
Methods research. May include methodological/statistical research (e.g., QC methods, model calibration, assay robustness).

4) What You’ll Provide

  • Use of de-identified data derived from your sample and interactions with our Services (e.g., assay metrics, algorithm outputs).
  • Storage/use of leftover saliva (if any) for research.
  • Use of non-identifiable metadata (e.g., device/app logs, generalized demographics you provided).

No new procedures. No additional sample or procedures are required for this consent unless you later opt into a separate study.

5) Procedures & Duration

  • Ongoing analyses. Data analyses may occur on a rolling basis.
  • Recontact (optional). If your settings allow, we may reach out about future optional studies (each will have its own terms).
  • Retention. De-identified data and/or leftover sample may be retained for up to 10 years or until scientific utility is exhausted, unless law requires otherwise.

6) Potential Risks & Discomforts

  • Privacy risk. Despite safeguards and de-identification, residual risks of unauthorized access or re-identification remain.
  • Psychological/social risk. Publications may describe group trends some could view negatively; individuals will not be identified.
  • Data transfer risk. Standard risks accompany transfers to vetted collaborators or cloud processors (see §9).
  • No physical risks expected. No additional procedures are required for this consent.

7) Potential Benefits

  • To you (not guaranteed). Research may improve CogniSci methods/features; no individual or clinical benefit is guaranteed.
  • To others/science. May advance wellness science, assay quality, and model performance for future users.

8) Compensation & Costs (No Financial Incentive)

  • No compensation. You will not receive payment, discounts, or other financial incentives for participation.
  • No added costs. Participation does not add costs beyond your chosen membership plan or other Services you purchase.
  • Not required. You may purchase and use CogniSci Services without opting in.

9) Confidentiality & Data Handling

  • De-identification. We remove direct identifiers and store research data using codes or in aggregated form.
  • Safeguards. Data stored on secure systems with technical/organizational protections.
  • Access (need-to-know). CogniSci personnel; vetted service providers under contract; qualified external collaborators; regulators if required by law.
  • Publications. Findings may be published/presented without identifying you.
  • Cross-border processing. De-identified data may be processed in the U.S. and other locations with appropriate safeguards.
  • Biometric/genetic laws. Where applicable (e.g., IL BIPA, CA GIPA), we follow retention/destruction schedules (see §10).

10) Data & Sample Retention / Destruction

  • Data. De-identified research data may be retained for up to 10 years (unless law requires a different period) or until utility is exhausted.
  • Leftover sample. If available, stored for up to 10 years or until exhausted, then destroyed using lab-standard methods.
  • Compliance. We follow applicable state retention schedules for biometric/genetic information.

11) Voluntary Participation & Withdrawal

  • Voluntary. You may withdraw at any time by emailing research@cogniscilabs.com (or via in-product controls, if available).
  • Effect of withdrawal. We stop new research uses going forward. Data already used in completed analyses/publications cannot be retrieved; we cease further use where feasible.
  • No service impact. Declining or withdrawing will not affect your ability to purchase/use CogniSci membership or wellness Services.
  • Not enrolled unless checked. If you do not select the checkout checkbox, you are not enrolled.

12) Results, Incidental Findings & Medical Care

  • No individual results. We will not return individual research results or incidental findings.
  • No medical relationship. This consent does not create a doctor–patient relationship; consult your clinician for medical questions.
  • GINA/state laws. GINA and some state laws limit health-insurer/employer use of genetic information; protections may not extend to life, disability, or long-term-care insurance.

13) Oversight / IRB

Governance. This activity involves non-medical product improvement and generalizable knowledge research overseen by CogniSci’s internal research governance and is not conducted under an IRB.
Questions/rights. Contact research@cogniscilabs.com with questions or concerns about your rights.

14) Contact Information

Study questions / withdrawal / privacy. research@cogniscilabs.com
General support. support@cogniscilabs.com
Mailing address.
CogniSci Labs Inc.
330 S Second Ave
Suite 200 1364
Minneapolis, MN 55401