We do two different kinds of studies in our lab: behavioral studies and imaging studies. Behavioral studies involve coming into our lab usually for about an hour to do simple tasks on the computer; behavioral studies are quick and easy to do. Functional Magnetic Resonance (fMRI) scans, however, are more involved, so people usually have to come in for 2.5 to 3 hours.

The fMRI scanner is essentially a large magnet into which we place you in order to watch activity in your brain while you perform various tasks. The space you go into is fairly small, so we do not recommend it to people who suffer from claustrophobia. There are no known risks in getting an fMRI scan if you are a normal, healthy person, and there is no limitation to how many Magnetic Resonance scans you can have in a lifetime. (It is not an x-ray, and we do not inject radiation or cause you any discomfort at all.)

You cannot volunteer for an fMRI scan, however, if you have any sort of heart condition (heart murmur or abnormal heartbeat) or any metal in your body. The magnetic force of the scanner is very strong, and might cause injury under these circumstances.