Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

BIRC houses a 3-Tesla Siemens Prisma scanner equipped with an eye-tracker as well as a range of head and body coils:

  • 20-channel head/neck coil
  • 32-channel head coil
  • 64-channel head/neck coil
  • 32-channel spine coil
  • Large and Small Shoulder coils
  • Large and Small Flex coils
  • Hand/Wrist coil
  • Foot/Ankle coil
  • Knee coil
  • 18-channel body array coil

Product and research pulse sequences for:

  • Structural imaging (Siemens or MGH sequences)
  • Diffusion imaging (Siemens or CMRR sequences)
  • BOLD
  • Susceptibility Weighted Imaging (SWI)
  • Spectroscopy and chemical shift imaging (Siemens or CMRR sequences)
  • Simultaneous Multislice (SMS) EPI (Siemens or CMRR sequences)
  • Arterial Spin Labeling

Stimulus presentation and response hardware for high fidelity auditory and visual presentation:

  • Avotec Silent Scan audio system
  • Optoacoustics OptoACTIVE II audio system
  • Hyperion MRI Digital Projection System
  • Current Designs MR-compatible response pads
  • In-Scanner Eye Tracking (SR Research Eye Link 1000 Plus)
  • Presentation using a PC, Mac, or your own laptop

MRI training

Investigators and students wishing to conduct research using our Siemens Prisma 3T scanner will need to complete Advanced Safety Training at BIRC. This involves a period of approximately 90 minutes, during which you will receive hands-on orientation to the MRI suite (Zones 3 and 4). Note: you must complete Level 1 safety training and complete all required reading (provided when AST session is scheduled) prior to the session. Please contact Elisa Medeiros to schedule safety training.

MRI Safety and Screening

Participant Safety

All participants need to complete a metal screening form prior to participating in a MRI. We recommend having the form completed prior to the participant’s appointment day so any potential contraindications can be addressed. The form will be reviewed by the scanner operator at the time of the MRI. The researcher should retain the signed form, consistent with their IRB-approved data retention policy. Below is a list of common issues presented by participants:

  • Permanent retainers: Most are MRI compatible, and create only a small artifact that does not affect data collection; however, some retainers are mildly attracted to the magnet. Unfortunately there is no way to know if the retainer is attracted or not other than to have the participant come in and be tested by entering the magnet room with the technologist. Please note that some retainers that were safe during previous MRIs done on a 1.5T scanner may be attracted to a 3T scanner.
  • Braces: While braces are not a contraindication for MRI, the artifact that is created obliterates anatomy in the fMRI and diffusion sequences; therefore, consider excluding any participant that has braces.
  • Colored contact lenses: Some pigments used in colored contacts contain iron oxide and are not MRI safe. Clear contact lenses can be worn, and MRI compatible glasses can be provided.
  • Tattoos: A small percentage of tattoos can be affected during a MRI resulting in a burn. We suggest avoiding having a study done until the tattoo is fully healed (approximately six weeks).
  • Clothing: All participants are required to change into BIRC scrubs. Lockers are provided for personal belongings.

We also have information for participants that can help them prepare for a study.

Scanner QA

The scanner has been extensively validated in internal tests. We have replicated multiple visual field studies as well as functional localizers across scanners from multiple other sites. We perform QA tests every week using both ACR (American College of Radiology) and Siemens phantoms. In addition, we perform a scanner stability measurement from MGH. Results from these three weekly tests are automatically processed by routines at the BIRC and are monitored carefully for any sudden changes in the output. The scanner is remarkably stable, which we have attributed to both our diligent efforts at managing the magnetic field as well as regular service from Siemens.

In-scanner eye-tracking

Eyelink 1000 Plus

The UConn Brain Imaging Research Center (BIRC) houses an Eyelink 1000 Plus eye tracker, which is the fastest, most accurate, and most precise eye tracker for MRI environments.

Eye-tracking during scans allows researchers to monitor participants' eye movements while simultaneously collecting fMRI data, and subsequently employ advanced analytical techniques such as fixation-related (FIRE) fMRI.

The eye tracker can be used with multiple stimulus presentation software including Experiment Builder, PsychoPy, E-Prime, NBS Presentation, Psychtoolbox, and OpenSesame.

If you are interested in adding eye tracking as an additional measure to fMRI, please contact gitte.joergensen@uconn.edu.

Dr. Joergensen has many years of eye-tracking experience and will provide support with how to best integrate eye tracking with fMRI, as well as other aspects of eye-tracking.

EyeLink 1000 Plus Long Range Mount MRI Setup and Usage Training Videos (SR Research)

System Overview - This video provides an overview of the EyeLink 1000 Plus Long Range Mount for MRI

Mirror Replacement -This video provides the basics of first surfaced mirror for eye tracking in MRI and how to handle and identify a first surface mirror.

Screen Mount (Horizontal Positioning) - This video provides an overview of setting up a Screen Mount (Horizontal Positioning)

Screen Mount (Vertical Positioning) - This video provides an overview of setting up a Screen Mount (Vertical Positioning)

Eye Tracker Positioning - This video provides an overview to finalize the position of the EyeLink 1000 Plus Long Range Mount.

Participant Setup - This video provides an overview to setup and calibrate a participant.

Drift Check / Correct Options - This video provides an overview of Drift Check and Drift Correct options.

Visual Angle Calculator (SR Research) - Visual angle typically refers to the angle a visual stimulus subtends on the eye.

Other resources: Recorded webinars of MRI-related courses and talks

*If you have other good resources to add here, please contact us.