fMRI Subject Instructions

The Magnetic Resonance Facility is located at 441 E. Ontario. There is free parking available directly in front of the building.

The fMRI Scan

The fMRI study takes approximately 1 1/2 to 2 hours. It is very important that you arrive on time in order to complete any paperwork or other preparation for the study.

You will be asked to lie still on a table and to place your head in a specially-designed holder, enabling us to record the imaging signal. Your head will be cushioned by a firm foam pillow. This helps to limit the amount of head movement during the scan. The table will then slide into the enclosed space of the MRI scanner. During the study you will be asked to respond to visual, sound or touch stimuli or to think quietly to yourself.

The MRI scanner makes loud banging noises while performing a measurement, so ear plugs will be placed in your ears or headphones will be placed over your ears before you enter the scanner. With proper ear protection, there is no evidence of this noise being harmful to one’s hearing.

While in the scanner, the experimenters will be in constant communication with you through an intercom system to inform you of the progress of the study. The ear plugs or headphones should not interfere with your communication with the experimenters. It is very important that you keep as still as possible during the scan. For this reason, please do not shake your head or use your hands while talking with the experimenters.

Preparation for the MRI scan

Here are several suggestions to make the scan as comfortable as possible:

• Wear comfortable clothing without any metal buttons, zippers, etc. It frequently is cold in the scanning room, so you may want to bring a sweatshirt.
  
• Wear a minimal amount of jewelry and hair accessories for they will be removed prior to the scan.
  
• Use a restroom before the scan begins, as you will not be able to use one for the duration of the scan.
  
• Do not engage in alcohol or drug use on the day of the scan.
  
• Do not come in hungry or thirsty prior to the scan. Also do not eat a large meal just before the scan.
  
• If you wear contacts as well as glasses, please wear your contacts on the day of the scan. However, if your contacts are colored they may contain metallic particles, so please wear your glasses instead. If you can only wear glasses to the fMRI scan, please bring you eyeglass prescription as we will be fitting you for glasses that are safe to wear in the magnet.
  
• Jewelry and piercings may not be worn in the scanner.
  
• If you come down with a cold on the day of the scan, particularly a cough, please contact us as soon as possible. Coughing or sneezing during the scan affects the image acquisition.

If you have any questions regarding the study or if your are unable to make the appointment, please email the fMRI research assistant or call (312)908-9488.