What is the MRI like and who gets one?
The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine looks like a large “donut” with a hole running down the middle. You will be asked to lie down on your back on a padded table and place your head in a special holder. Soft pads will be placed on the sides of your head to keep your head still. The table will slide you inside the machine. While we take pictures of your brain, you will hear a number of different sounds. Some of these sounds are loud and normal. These noises change depending on what type of picture we are taking and include: sounds like a hammer hitting a piece of wood, buzzing noises, and long loud beeps. Sometimes, you won’t hear any sounds. We will give you earplugs to block out some of the noise. During some scans, you may have the choice of viewing a movie or listening to music; however, it is really important to keep your head as still as possible.
