What will happen during the study?
All of our MRI studies take place at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in the Olson Pavilion (located at 710 N. Fairbanks, Chicago, IL). Upon arrival, volunteers will fill out some paperwork including a consent form and short medical history. An experimentor will sit down with the volunteer and explain the procedure and task. When the volunteer is ready, he/she will change into a hospital gown and enter the scanner room.
Here is a frontal view of the actual magnetic resonance imaging scanner at the MRI facility. The subject lies on the table jutting out of the scanner. On the table is a specially-designed holder where the subject places his or her head. The table will then slide into the enclosed space of the MRI scanner. During the study, the volunteer is required not to move his or her head and to respond to visual and sound stimuli.
This is an actual picture of a subject, lying on the table, ready to be put into the scanner. During the study, the MRI scanner will make loud, banging noises which signifies that it is taking pictures of the brain. To decrease the noise, the subject is given headphones. Throughout the whole study, the experimenters are in constant communication with the volunteers. This communication is made possible through an intercom to inform you of the progress of the study.
Volunteers will be in the scanner for no more than one hour. The entire process, from paperwork to finish takes about 1.5-2 hours. Upon scheduling an appointment, volunteers are given the approximate duration of the study.
If you are interested in volunteering, please see our Sign-Up page.