The first MR scan!

From the first time I came to this group, I've been wondering whether I would be able to come "inside" the MR scanner*. It is a neuro imaging group in a brain institute, so I think people will definitely need volunteers to let their brain scanned. I've been talking to some people who might have a project involving human studies, and one of them was happy when I said that he could put me inside the scanner for his scanning trial.

So, it happened this morning. I was really excited, as well as a little bit anxious. I've made sure that there were no pins on my hair and my scarf, no zip on my clothes --I even wore a long skirt today (fine, I was too extreme :D), no metal what so ever, except my dental work but it was OK.

The MR scanner is huge; I've seen it in the laboratory where I'll be working for my master thesis later this year. It looked so frightening in that laboratory--as it was put just as it is, in the middle of the room. But it was different this morning. It was in a children hospital where I had the scan, so the environment was set up to be ambient. It was so colorful and child friendly. When I laid down on the scanner table, colorful stars sparkling on the ceiling. By that time I was sure; if I were a child, I would love it :D

Anyway, I am still wondering if a child will like the experience inside the scanner. Firstly, because MR scanning takes a while. Not like x-ray that completes in just few seconds, you have to stay still about couple minutes for one MR image, depending on what scanning technique used and the image quality you want to have. I was inside for about an hour, for 5 types of scanning. Secondly, the noise. Although I wore headphones and a music was played during the scan, I still could hear the noise coming from the applied magnetic field gradient**. During the diffusion tensor imaging***, the noise was even worse as the gradient was changed quickly to many directions. I could feel the vibration and the "boom-boom" noise shaking the scanner table. I was enjoying it, though, as I --thank Allah-- am healthy and went to the scan without any worries. Another thing that might happen is claustrophobia. I didn't mind being inside such a closed place, but some people might not be comfortable of it.

Now that I've experienced it, I do think that it might be important to inform people well before they go for an MR scanning, so that they know what they expect. A good knowledge on what's going to happen might hopefully make an exciting experience.

***

Thanks a bunch for Scott and Clare, to let me have this exciting experience;)

Notes:
*) Magnetic resonance imaging, an imaging technique that uses magnetic field and radio frequency to excite water proton in the tissue to make the image.
**) Magnetic field that has different strength depending on its location.
***) An MR imaging technique that images the movement of the water (diffusion) in the tissue

half way greetings

Time flies --I know this may sound cliche, but really it's already a half of my stay in Australia. Neuro Imaging Group at the Howard Florey Institute is really a wonderful place to work. Comfortable environment, nice project, and lovely people. The project is interesting and challenging; I don't get bored at all! The people too seem to put much interest to what I am doing, and they are really eager to brainstorm with me. In short, I am more than happy and enjoying it a lot. I really hope I can get good result; I'll see in a couple weeks.

I don't do much traveling anymore during weekend, only a relaxing one in the city. Trying various yummy food --there are a lot of halal restaurants in Melbourne, amazing! Here is the list in case you want to give it a try, too ;).

I think I'll miss Melbourne --agree to a survey result that Melbourne is the most livable city in the world.

Southbank

Victoria state library

Old fashioned tram (it runs slowly :D)