Learn about your baby's brain!

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a tool we use to take pictures of the brain in action. It uses a powerful magnet to track brain activity by measuring small changes in blood flow, which happens when different parts of the brain are working.

fMRI is very safe. Because our bodies aren’t made of metal, the magnet doesn’t harm us. Unlike X-rays, which use radiation, fMRI does not involve any radiation at all and can be used again and again. In fact, it has been safely used for over three decades with people of all ages, including children, infants, and even fetuses.

As with any safe technology, there are a few simple precautions we take. For example, just like you use a seatbelt with a high chair, we follow safety steps to make sure everything goes smoothly. Before the scan, both you and your child will be screened to make sure there are no metal items, such as implants (like a pacemaker) or everyday items (like a belt buckle) that could be affected by the magnet. The scanner can also be quite loud, so we’ll provide comfortable hearing protection for both you and your baby. You will be inside the MRI room with your baby the entire session, and you can stop the session any time you want.

Before participating, you and your child will be invited to an orientation session with our team. This gives us a chance to walk you through what fMRI is, what your visit will look like, and what to expect during the scan. It’s also a great time for you to ask any questions and get to know us.

Participation begins with a short orientation session, where we’ll walk you through what the study involves and what to expect on the day of your child’s scan. This is also a great time to ask any questions you may have.

On the day of your visit, you and your child will be screened again, and we’ll go over the plan for the session together. When you’re both ready, you’ll enter the MRI room with our research team. We will provide hearing protection and gently position the baby in the scanner. While your child lies down, they’ll watch fun movies. During this time, we’ll be taking pictures of their brain.

You’ll play an important role throughout the visit. You’ll be right there with your child throughout the study, able to see and communicate with your baby the entire time. A member of our team will also stay with you to support you and answer any questions.

The full visit may last up to two hours. Only about 20 minutes will be spent in the scanner, and the rest of the time will be used to get set up and to take breaks whenever your child needs them.

We know that taking part in a study like this can take time out of your usual routine, and we truly appreciate your time and support in helping us learn more about how children think and grow. To thank you, we offer $50 per hour for your participation. We'll also send you home with pictures of your baby's brain!