Information for First-Time fMRI Participants

What happens during an MRI scan?

  • You will be given a letter of information to read that explains the procedures in place to ensure that the research follows best practices as ensured by the university’s research ethics board (here is a generic letter of information though the one you sign will have additional information specific to the study in which you are participating). You will have an opportunity to ask questions. If you agree with the policies, you will be asked to sign the form.

  • You will fill out a screening form to make sure that you are eligible to be scanned. The experimenter will explain what will happen during the experiment and may show you some examples or give you some practice.

  • You may be asked to fill out additional questionnaires specifc to the study in which you are participating.

  • You will be be given hearing protection (ear plugs or headphones) and will lie on the bed of the scanner with your head in a head coil surrounded by foam padding. The technician will try to ensure you are as comfortable as possible.

  • After setup, the bed will be moved into the centre of the MRI scanner. You may be looking at a screen, listening to sounds through headphones, and/or given devices to enter responses.

  • At the beginning of the session, some short scans and adjustments will be conducted. An anatomical scan of your brain will be collected (about 5 minutes) during which you will hear buzzing. A series of functional scans will be taken (typically 5-10 minutes each) during which you will hear beeping. The technician and experimenters will communicate with you over an intercom between scans.

  • You can ask to stop the experiment at any time if you are feeling uncomfortable.

Prior to the scan:

  • The experimenter will provide details about where to go and when. They will provide information about how to contact them.

  • You may wish to review a generic consent form and the screening form. If you have think there may be any reasons you cannot participate, please discuss these with the experimenter in advance.

The day of the scan:

  • If applicable, remember to wear contact lenses instead of glasses.

  • Do not drink excessive amounts of liquid, especially caffeine (a diuretic -- an fMRI session seems much longer with a full bladder!).

  • Do not wear any shirts with metal around the head (e.g., pullovers with zippers). Metal buttons and zippers on pants are okay.

  • Do not use any hairclips and be prepared to remove jewellery.

  • For women, if possible, do not wear an underwire bra (the metal can throw off the magnetic field). Sports bras are usually good. The clasps on the back of a regular bra are not a problem.

  • Avoid wearing mascara (which can contain metal flakes), using hair gel or arriving with wet hair (which can affect the signal)

  • Make sure you know where you are going to meet the experimenter and what time you are expected to show up. See map & directions

  • If anything comes up such that you cannot make your scheduled time, notify the experimenter as soon as possible. Scan time costs $150/hour or more regardless of whether or not the subject shows up.

     Magnet control room phone number: (519) 661-2111 x24433

While in the magnet:

  • If you notice anything vaguely uncomfortable before you get rolled into the magnet, tell the experimenter. Things that are slightly uncomfortable at the start become excruciating by the end. Once you are in place, you will maintain that exact position for a couple hours.

  • Try not to change head or body position during a scan (while the magnet is beeping). If the head moves, it creates artifacts that are usually difficult if not impossible to fix. The position of body parts in the magnetic field distorts it. So if you cross your legs, scratch your head, open your mouth, yawn (inhale deeply), or shift your posture, it can lead to artifacts even if your brain doesn't move. We try to keep runs as short as possible (ideally under 5 minutes) so that you can stay in the same position the whole time.

  • Swallowing can lead to head motion artifacts. If you can avoid swallowing during a scan, the data quality will be better. If trying not to swallow makes you gag or swallow suddenly, then it's best to just swallow normally at ~random times. Do not try to time your swallowing with the events in the experiment (e.g., waiting until a series of trials is over).

  • Between scans (when the magnet is not beeping), you can swallow freely and make small adjustments to your body posture (e.g., scratch your face or adjust your legs). Try not to make any large movements that would affect your head position.

  • Try to stay relaxed throughout the session. If you tense up at the beginning of a scan, your head can drift as you settle down. We will warn you 20-30 seconds before the scanner starts beeping so you will not be alarmed by the sudden noise.

  • If you notice anything unusual with the stimuli (e.g., they're upside down or you can't see the display or the screen saver comes on partway through a scan) or have problems with the task (e.g., make mistakes, fall asleep), be sure to tell the experimenter after the scan in which it happened.

  • You will be given a squeeze ball in case you need to stop the scan midway. You can use this if something goes wrong with the stimuli or if you need to stop immediately.