Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) measures brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow. It utilized strong magnetic fields and radio waves to make pictures.
During an fMRI study, participants may be asked to:
- Lie on their back upon a narrow bed that will be pushed into the MRI machine and wear earplugs to protect their hearing.
- Have pictures of their brain taken using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
- While inside the MRI scanner, see pictures, words, videos, and/or numbers on a screen and press buttons on a keyboard or joystick to make decisions or play games.
- Answer questions about their decisions, attitudes, preferences, health, and/or demographics.
fMRI studies typically last from 1 to 2 hours, during most of which participants will be inside the MRI scanner.
Prior to participating in an fMRI study, participants may also be asked to participate in a pre-screening session, where they may:
- Lie on their back upon a narrow bed that will be pushed into a mock scanner, which is inactive and unable to take pictures of their brain.
- While inside the mock scanner, see pictures, words, videos, and/or numbers on a screen and press buttons on a device to make decisions or play games; and hear simulated scanner noises.
- Answer questions about their mental and physical health to determine if they are eligible to participate in an MRI study.
Both fMRI studies and pre-screening sessions are conducted at Duke Hospital.
If you are interested in participating in an fMRI study, email decisionlab@duke.edu to check whether we have any ongoing fMRI studies and to learn more about them.
