Unlike X-rays, there is no radiation put into the body, so there is no technical limit on how long a person can be in a scanner. Since an MRI works by changing the spin on hydrogen electrons with an induced electric field, no damage to human cells and tissues.

There are three main safety concerns with an MRI machine. Because patients are in the scanner for around an hour and a half, if they are claustrophobic the tight-burhole can cause discomfort. Additionally, because an MRI is essentially a large magnet, no metal objects can be brought into the scanner. This includes metal implants such as knee replacements, cardiac pacemakers, shrapnel, and so on. Because some tattoo inks and permanent makeup can contain trace amounts of metal, participants can experience a slight irritation or heating on the area of their tattoo while they are in the scanner (though this does not happen in every case).

Although sleeping is not prohibited, we try to keep participants awake in order to check in regularly throughout the scan.

For our study, the scans take approximately an hour to run, but with additional check-ins and ultrasound configuration, the process takes around an hour and a half.

No. We are currently unable to share scans with our study participants.

Yes – please see our current study flyers for our recruitment criteria, which includes age limits.

There are no eating or drinking restrictions; however, eating and drinking in large amounts before the scan increases the likelihood of bathroom breaks, which interrupts the flow of the scanning session and increases the time it takes to complete it.