Non-magnetic Trainer MRI Visits

We'll go through the steps with you, help you, and make sure you're comfortable getting into the non-magnetic trainer MRI scanner (otherwise referred to as "the mock scanner")

Our Mock Training and MRI Scanning Team:

Ashante Thompson, LMSW (She/her)

Sydney Messer, LMSW (She/her)

Auscia Williams, B.S., RBT | (she/her)

Jamie Kortanek, B.A. | (they/them)

Hely Patel, B.S. | (she/her)

Jewel Okoronkwo, B.S. | (she/her)

What exactly is a mock MRI scanner? This is a replica or a copy of an MRI that is similar to what you will see with the real MRI scanner (see ours below!). This mock scanner does not have a functional magnet inside of it and does not take pictures of your brain like the real MRI does. The main goal of introducing you to the replica scanner is to help you get an idea of what it could look like the day of with the real thing and practice your ability to be as still as you can be.

Where do mock MRI trainings take place?

Visits will take place at The Facility for Education and Research in Neuroscience (FERN) at Emory University

36 Eagle Row, Suite 180

Atlanta, GA 30322

Parking is available in the Peavine Parking Lot across from the building.

Peavine Visitor Lot Parking

Parking is available in the Peavine Visitor Lot. You will not be responsible for parking fees. A parking ticket will be printed when you enter the lot. Payment is not required at entry. Please bring your parking ticket with you.

At your visit, we will validate your parking ticket at full cost with no time limit.

When you exit the lot after your visit, please 1) scan the front of your parking ticket, then 2) scan the validation sticker on the back of your parking ticket.

Leaving the Peavine Lot to front door of FERN

After you arrive, you will approach the Psychology and Interdisciplinary Studies Building, which is directly across from the Peavine Lot, pictured on the left.

If you take the sidewalk on the right side of the building, you'll come to a short walking path, pictured on the right, that will allow you to directly enter the FERN facility.

Mock MRI Scanner Social Story:

A social story is a narrative of pictures and texts to help explain to children what they could expect at visits or situations

Examples of what to expect at the mock training visit

The head sensor in the above picture will go on your forehead. The job of this head piece is to let our team know how much movement you might be making inside the mock MRI scanner.

Our team will help you through the steps of how to get into the mock MRI scanner. After the head sensor has been place on your forehead, we will place the head coil over top of your head.

Once you are ready, our team will push the mock MRI scanner bed into the tunnel so you can practice staying still and watching movie clips

Our team will be available on the outside of the scanner to check in on you or politely remind you to be still.

Goals at the mock training

Our goals at the mock MRI training experience are to help you build the skills and confidence to go into the real scanner to get a picture of your brain. Additionally, our goal is to observe the amount of movement you make inside the mock trainer. The bullseye picture below is an example of how we record your movement. Ideally, you need to be as still as you can inside the mock and real MRI scanner so it can take clear pictures of your brain!

An example of the bullseye that shows your movement to us from the head sensor. The longer you stay still, your white cross should remain in the green area. When you are in the green area, that means you are being still enough to where our MRI camera can get clear pictures of your brain.

As you are watching movie clips, if the video clip pauses, this may mean you are making noticeable movement inside the mock trainer. Our goal is to make as little movement as possible; however, if you need to take a break, please let our team know.

Items used at the mock trainer

In ear phones will be used during the training and they serve two purposes: 1.) To help you hear the audio of the video you are watching, 2.) To help cut down on the sounds of the MRI scanner to protect your ears.

A head sensor band is placed on the forehead only during the training. This will help us see your movement while you are inside the scanner tunnel.

Siemens Head Coil that helps the MRI scanner to take a picture of your brain. On top of the head coil will be a mirror that attaches--this ensures that you can see the monitor behind you to watch your movie clips.

Enter scan room
Walk to MRI table
Stand on stool
Sit on bed
Swing your legs onto table
Lay your head on the pillow
One of our researchers will place a sensor on your forehead
One of our researchers will put headphones on your head
One of our researchers will put the MRI helmet and mirror in place
Keep your hands by sides
One of our researchers will slide you into the scanner
Lie still like you would while the MRI machine captures pictures of your brain (See tab for 'MRI scan visit' to get an idea of why staying still is important!)

Once you're in the scanner, you'll watch videos with us.

Examples of the types of videos you will see:

The first video will be a video that you choose
The second video will be a black screen with a white plus in the middle (this is called a "crosshair"). Some kids might find this video boring or can make them feel a little sleepy. This video tells us a lot of great information about your brain so we can see what your brain looks like when it is at its "resting state". You may see this video four times throughout your real MRI scan for about 3-4 minutes at a time.
The third type of movie is what our team calls "Our Study Movie", which is a video that we choose. Our study movie will look different from your mock training experience than the one at your real MRI.

A sample of the videos and time duration inside the mock trainer. If you need more frequent breaks, you can always ask a member of our team!

FAQ

Why do we complete MRI training?

MRI is a new environment for many people, and we want you and your child to be familiar with what the MRI session will be like. Training will help your child become more comfortable with lying still and hearing the noises that the MRI machine makes. MRI data is very expensive to collect, so we want to prepare your child before the actual MRI visit

What is a mock scanner, MRI simulator, or non-magnetic trainer MRI?

The mock scanner is a machine that looks like the MRI scanner, but doesn’t collect any pictures, or use any magnets.. The mock scanner will allow your child to see/touch the machine and to practice all parts of the MRI study (e.g. lying still, wearing headphones, entering the machine, listening to pre-recorded machine noises, etc).

Who is required to do training?

Because of the expense of MRI scans, we require all participants attend at least 1 MRI training session before we book their MRI scan, so we can make sure they're fully prepared for the sights, sounds, and feelings they might experience while inside the scanner.

How many training sessions will my child have?

We will start with one training session that will last approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour. From there, we will determine whether to have more training sessions based on the child’s lead – how comfortable your child is with the MRI machine and whether he or she had time during the session to successfully practice all steps of the MRI study. It's our team's goal to make sure that behavioral challenges don't exclude children from participating in research, so if your child needs additional support, we have a designated behavioral therapist on our team who can help guide your child through the training. While some anxiety and discomfort can be expected, if your child expresses extreme anxiety or discomfort during these training sessions, we will respect their autonomy and not proceed with the MRI portion of the study.

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