(fMRI) Studies
The equipment is a head-only 3 Tesla MRI.
MRI is a painless imaging technology with no known harmful effects. It is used to gather information about the structure and functioning of the brain. MRI systems create a map of the tissues of the brain based on their magnetic properties. The brain's changing blood flow and blood oxygenation allow researchers to use MRI to find which part of the brain is working during different tasks.
Only the head and neck are imaged with this research MRI system. A few people aren't comfortable having their head still and in the dark enclosure. We do not use MRI if participants are not comfortable.
The University of Oregon's MRI system is located in the Lewis Center for Neuroimaging.
The purpose of these studies is to use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to study normal brain function as well as changes in brain function with changes in sensory, cognitive and language experience.
Procedures:
Pre-screening tests or questionnaires and consent forms are completed.
In order to become acclimated to the MRI environment an MRI simulator is provided which mimics what will be experienced in the actual scanner performing the same or similar tasks.
Once comfortable with these procedures participants lie on a table inside the magnet. NO IONIZING RADIATION is used in these studies. Lying still during the testing procedure is essential so we provide a soft foam cushion for the head while in the MRI. A set of earphones is provided for communication during these tests. Participants are asked to respond to words presented via the set of earphones or to respond to pictures or words presented visually. Responses involve finger movements.
During these visits researchers give tests of memory, language or perception, and then take pictures both of the brain's structure (standard MRI) as well as blood flow in the brain (functional MRI). These tests can involve finger tapping exercises, observing images through a mirror, listening to auditory stimuli, or solving an arithmetic problem and responding in accordance with instructions.
