Brain Imaging Center

The Brain Imaging Center, which opened in May 2008, is located in the Department of Psychological Sciences at the University of Missouri.  It is equipped with the latest state-of-the-art MRI equipment for studying the workings of the human brain.

Research in the Center is dedicated to expanding our knowledge of how the brain works and how injury can affect the brain and people’s behavior.  Our hope is that this research will lead to better treatment and detection of diseases and disorders affecting the brain.


Visiting MU's Brain Imaging Center? Here you'll find information to insure that your visit is as enjoyable as possible.  

Helpful Information about the MU Brain Imaging Center

The Center was designed with research in mind and offers the following resources/facilities in order to make
you and your child’s experience as enjoyable as possible:

  • Friendly, well-trained MRI staff that have extensive experience working with children with autism and other developmental conditions.

  • The MRI scanner and control equipment are housed in large, open, well-lit spaces

  • A large observation window and a 2-way Communication System that allows us (and you) to be able to see, hear, and speak with your child at all times during the examination.

  • Specially-designed headphones which can be worn by your child and substantially reduce the noise of the MRI scanner.  [Additional earplugs are also available upon request.]

  • State-of-the-art audio and visual systems that allow your child to watch movies or listen to the radio during the examination.

  • The Center also houses a replica of the MRI scanner that can be used to show children what it will be like in the real MRI scanner and to give them practice at lying very still.

  • A complimentary copy of a storybook entitled “My Day at the Brain Imaging Center” is available and can be used to introduce your child to our facility and research team prior to your visit.

  • Similarly, we are happy to provide families with an audio CD containing the various sounds that your child will hear during the MRI examination.  [The MRI machine makes tapping and thumping sounds when it is recording images.]  Together with the storybook, this CD can help prepare your child for what to expect during his/her visit


If you have any questions or would like additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us
[Amanda Savarese, Research Coordinator, Email: SavareseA@missouri.edu; Phone: 573-884-8109]. Thank you!

Click here to visit the MU Brain Imaging Center Website