FMRI Data Acquisition

Logistics

Scheduling

Be sure to schedule on the DISC calendar using the NLR_fMRI drop-down

Materials Needed

1. USB
2. Stimulus computer, charger
3. Dongle
4. Ensure that WiFi and notifications are turned off on the device being used
5. Subject Information; including MRI Screening Form(s), MR Safe Glasses (if applicable)

Set-Up

1. Plug in the "Trigger Output" USB cord to the Stimulus computer
2. Plug in the Video VGA Trigger cord to the stimulus computer using the dongle
3. Press red "trigger switch" button to switch to the rear green LED light indication
4. On the output port console within the glass cabinet on the bottom shelf, press 0, 1, 0, 2, 0, 2, 0, 2 
to switch communication between the desktop to the laptop and teh projector in the scanner room
5. Switch button press box to work with numbers as opposed to colors

Running the Stimulus

Procedure

1. open MatLab
2. Navigate to runexperimentLocalizer.m
3. run the command: runexperimentLocalizer(#, subjid_#)
4. you will run the sequence 3 times for each subject. NOTE the scanner itself will trigger the sequence

Script

Before the first fMRI scan runs, say the following to the subject:

Alright, [subject name], now it's time to play the game that we practiced.  
Really quick, do me a favor and without moving your head or looking down, can you push the button for me?
Remember the first thing you're going to see is a gray screen with a white dot in the middle for a little while.  
After about 16 seconds the game will start and you're gonna see groups of images.  
They'll either be images of words, objects, or faces.  
Your job is to be as still as you can and press the button whenever the image repeats right in a row.  
Are you ready? ... [wait for subject response] ... Alright! 
Remember from now until you can't hear the machine running anymore you need to be as still as you possibly can.  
Try your best to wait until the end  to scratch an itch and swallow.  
Got it? ... [wait for subject response] ... Awesome.  
Here we go!

In Between each run, say the following:

How was that one, [subject name]?
Are you ready for the (next/last) run? ... [wait for subject response] ...
Great! Remember to keep as still as you possibly can.  Here we go.  

If the subject moves during a scan, depending on the amount of movement either add extra stress before the next run, or stop the scan and re-run after reminding him/her to be very still.