Who should volunteer?
The exact requirements for participation as a volunteer subject in a
CBIC MRI research protocol will vary by researcher and by research
topic area. Please check directly with the researcher (i.e., the
research lab who has solicited your services as a subject) for details
related to their study. For instance, many research designs will
require only the inclusion of healthy volunteers between 18 and ??
years of age and/or only subjects having completed a specific level of
higher education, and so on. The majority of research protocols
implemented at the CBIC call only for healthy volunteers with normal
anatomy and physiology.
Who should not volunteer?
The CBIC is a dedicated academic research facility (as differentiated
from a medical school or medical imaging facility). If your interest is
in taking part in a medical research project, or if you have an
expectation of receiving a clinical diagnosis of any kind as a planned
part of your volunteer participation, the CBIC is not for you (your
interests may be better served by volunteering for a medical school
affiliated clinical research project).
What will the test involve?
MRI research sessions generally take between 60 and 90 minutes. The
duration of the experimental session depends on what is being examined
and/or the number of imaging trials required for a particular
experiment.
You will be asked to lie on your back on a padded table. Every effort
will be made to get you as comfortable as possible for the length of
your volunteer session.
A receiver coil, an imaging device, will be placed over a body part to
collect the MR signals. There are many different types of coils for
different body parts. The one most commonly used in research at the
CBIC is a head coil (which resembles a large football helmet).
The volunteer is placed in the scanner with the area to be examined at
the center of the magnet. The bore (opening) of a typical scanner is 60
cm (approximately 24 inches) in diameter and five to six feet in
length. The CBIC 3T scanner is open on both ends. The bore can be well
lit and nearly every modern system has air flowing through the bore.
The volunteer will generally remain in the magnet continuously until
the research session is completed. During the session, there will be
series of scans or “sequences” performed. Each sequence can, typically,
last from 8 to 20 minutes, during which time the machine will produce a
very loud noise. Ear protection will be provided. The noise will vary
in pitch and volume depending on the parameters of the sequence. During
each scan, you will be asked to lie as still as possible while
breathing normally. Some research exams will require you to perform a
specified task which will be explained to you prior to the study. This
task may be repeated several times during the study. You may also be
required to wear special goggles if the study involves the visual areas
of the brain. Occasionally, the task will require some pre-scan
training to ensure that you perform the task in the desired manner.
Is it safe?
Millions of MR procedures have been performed without incident over the
last two decades. While getting an MRI exam has become a fairly routine
event, there are some safety issues. The primary concern involves the
strength of the magnet. These magnets are extremely powerful-as much as
30,000 times stronger than the earth’s magnetic field. Metallic
(ferromagnetic) objects near the magnet will be strongly attracted to
it, and in some cases become projectiles.
The magnetic field can also interfere with certain implanted medical
devices such as cardiac pacemakers or nerve stimulators. Persons with
such implanted devices should not have an MR scan. However, most
medical implants (i.e., orthopedic devices such as surgically implanted
metal bone screws) are “MR compatible” and do not prevent the procedure
from being completed safely. The MR staff will ask you a series of
questions to determine if it safe for you to be scanned. You will be
asked to complete a screening questionnaire,
which will be reviewed by the staff prior to your scan. If you have any
implanted devices or know of metal fragments in your body, or have done
metal work (welding, grinding) please notify the staff immediately.
MR scanners also produce a lot of noise during their operation. You
will be provided ear protection during the scan. There is a choice of
headphones, earplugs or a combination of the two. Another area to
consider is that of the MR scanner environment. Portions of your body
(depending on the area of interest) will be inside the bore scanner.
The space can feel somewhat confining, especially to claustrophobic
individuals and persons who weigh more than 300 lbs. If you know you
are claustrophobic or weigh over 300 lbs, you should not participate as
a MR volunteer at the CBIC.
During a procedure, the staff will remain in contact with between
scans. If at any time during the test you do not feel comfortable, you
can ask to stop the test and be removed from the magnet immediately.
How should I prepare to be a volunteer?
If this is your first time being scanned, arrive early (15-20 minutes)
to allow time to complete paperwork. If you take any medication, please
inform the staff as early as possible, as certain medications may
preclude you from participating in a particular study. Wear loose,
comfortable clothing, cotton preferably, with few or no zippers. Do not
wear any jewelry or make-up. If you have body piercings, please remove
them prior to arrival. If they cannot be removed, it may not be
possible to scan you safely. Eyeglasses will need to be removed prior
to scanning. All personal items can be placed in a locker during your
procedure.
The following items are not permitted in the scan room: pagers, cell
phones, personal stereo equipment, metallic objects, credit cards,
PDAs, and reading material. Avoid eating a large meal or drinking large
amounts of fluid immediately prior to the test.