Study of New Magnetic Resonance Imaging Methods of the Brain

Launched by NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE (NINDS) · Feb 18, 2000

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying new and improved methods of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to better understand how the brain works. MRI is a medical tool that takes detailed images of the brain and helps us learn about its functions and chemistry. The researchers want to see how blood flows in different areas of the brain when people perform simple tasks, like listening to sounds or moving their fingers. This trial uses a more advanced MRI machine than those typically found in hospitals, which allows for clearer images.

To participate, you need to be at least 18 years old and in good health. If you’re interested, you will go through a screening process that includes a medical history review and a neurological exam. As a participant, you’ll have an MRI scan once a year, where you’ll lie inside a large, donut-shaped machine for 20 minutes to 3 hours, with most scans lasting between 45 and 90 minutes. During the scan, you may do simple activities, helping researchers gather important information about brain behavior. However, some people may not be able to participate due to certain medical conditions or devices in their bodies that are not safe with MRI.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• * INCLUSION CRITERIA:
• • 18 years of age and older
• • in good general health
• • able to understand the procedures and requirements and give informed consent
• EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
• • All Subjects will undergo a neurological physical and answer the Healthy volunteer form, and the most-recent version of the NMR safety screening form
• A subject will be excluded if he/she:
• • 1. has any metal implant or objects of unknown identity or composition, or if it s known to be non-compatible with MRI, such as pacemakers, medication pumps, aneurysm clips, metallic prosthesis (such as heart valves or cochlear implants), certain orthopedic implants (pins and rods), shrapnel, or small metal fragments in the eye;
• • 2. has claustrophobia;
• • 3. cannot lie comfortably for up to 120 minutes;
• • 4. underwent brain surgery or suffered a traumatic head trauma;
• • 5. has migraines that require medication;
• • 6. has ever been hospitalized for a psychiatric disorder;
• • 7. has medical health problems such as pulmonary or airway disease, heart failure, coronary artery disease, and uncontrolled hypertension which would require physiological monitoring during the scan;
• • 8. has a history of any medical condition that could result in an emergency medical situation while undergoing the MRI scan;
• • 9. has hearing problems which would make it difficult to tolerate scanner noise;
• • 10. is pregnant;
• • 11. has body/make-up tattoos (e.g. lips, eyebrows, eyeliner). Each tattoo will be considered on a case-to-case basis, taking into account of the age and location of the tattoo;
• • 12. has a sleep apnea diagnosis;
• • 13. has a neurological disorder, such as Stroke, Parkinson s, and Epilepsy;
• • 14. a member of the NINDS Laboratory of Functional and Molecular Imaging.
• • The contraindications to MRI at the various field strengths are almost identical, except the 7 T also excludes subjects with gold dental crowns.