The functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) study is an ongoing, joint neuroscience project involving researchers from several departments of the Medical College of Wisconsin. Functional MRI is a process by which images of the brain are obtained while the participant is engaged in some task; the process is “functional” in that the images show which areas of the brain are “working” the hardest during various tasks. This is in contrast to “structural” MRI, which produces images of the brain structure similar to an X-ray. Both types of MRI scanning use radio waves and a strong magnetic field to create the images. There is no radiation or injected dyes involved, and no known risks when FDA guidelines are followed (MRI has been used in animal research since the 1940’s and has had widespread clinical application since 1980). Investigators at the Medical College are using the fMRI technique to study language, memory and motor function.
If you are interested in participating in a study, please go to http://fmri.mcw.edu and click on the Enrollment link in the upper left hand corner.