Participant Information

• Please arrive 30 minutes prior to your appointment time. (for directions, visit the Contact Us page)
• If arriving unaccompanied by a research coordinator please tell the MRI reception desk you are here for a research study.
• You will be required to fill out an MRI screening form upon arrival.

* If you are unable to attend your research MRI appointment please inform your study coordinator.  The research study may be billed if there is less than 48 hours notice of cancellation.  This is important as research funding is limited.

• The research study staff will instruct you if there is any special preparation required for your MRI.   Generally, there are no specific dietary or medical preparations for your MRI scan. Take your medications as usual.You will have to change into a hospital gown and remove any metal accessories (watch, jewelry, hair clips, bras, dentures, bridge, piercings).
• If you use medication patches you may be asked to remove them before the scan.
• If you use a drug infusion pump for insulin, antibiotics, etc. – you will be asked to disconnect it before you enter the MRI scanner.
• Lockers are available to secure your belongings while you are in the MRI scanner.

An MRI scanner is a large very strong magnet therefore the most important part of preparing for your MRI scan is checking if you have any implants from surgery or an injury that might be affected by the magnetic field. Most implants are not affected by MRI but if you have any of the following you will not be able to participate in the MRI study:

• Pacemaker, pacing wires, defibrillator (ICD)
• Implanted Neurostimulator (in the brain or spine)
  • This is different from an external TENS unit that is removable
• Breast tissue expander
  • Expanders are often used after mastectomy for reconstructive surgery
  • An expander is different from saline, silicone or gel implants which are safe for MRI
• Cochlear implants (hearing devices with components implanted in the inner ear which cannot be removed)
• Aneurysm clips and/or coils in the body or brain
• Copper intrauterine devices (IUD)
  • Some IUDs are non-metallic, such as the brand Mirena and are safe for MRI
• Foreign metal object in eye
  • If you have worked with metal and are unsure if you always wore eye protection or if you may have had metal go into your eye you will need to have an orbital (eye) xray to ensure that there are no metallic fragments

*If unsure of something please discuss it with your research coordinator.