0.  Noor reserves slots with Neurovision
1.  Shelley books subjects, gives Ss. info. & clinical consent form to
    Anita or whoever will be responsible for meeting subjects at the
    MNI.
2.  Use this info. to fill in the research MR requisition, have Noor
    sign it and then submit it to MRI unit.  The MRI unit assigns a
    subject number and confirms the appointment (with the MNI).
3.  On the day of the scan, meet the subject in the MRI reception
    area, confirm the info. on the clinical consent form, explain or
    have the subject and/or companion go over the research consent
    form and obtain written consent from the subject (2 copies of the
    same form).  One copy of the Research consent form stays with the
    subject and one copy is kept in our files at the LDI.  In the case
    of Alzheimer subjects (or any person who may be cognitively
    impaired), have the family member or caretaker sign the consent
    form also.
4.  During the explanation of the MR procedures, please emphasize the
    importance of remaining still during the scan period (i.e., when
    the machine is making noise).  It may be helpful to use the
    analogy of taking a photograph; if you move while having your
    photo taken, you get a fuzzy image and if you move while having an
    MRI scan, you also get fuzzy results.
4.  Once the consent form has been signed, have the subject go to the
    bathroom (75 minutes is a _long_ time to have to lie still).  Take
    the subject to the changing area and have them put their
    belongings in a locker.  Unless the subject needs a urinal, she or
    he can wear street clothes in the scanner.  Have them remove all
    objects from their pockets, remove all jewellery, watches, chains,
    hearing aids, dentures, etc.  The object is to make sure that
    there is nothing on the subject that could react in the magnetic
    field.  If the subject has any emergency medication (for a heart
    condition, e.g.), take that with you and keep it in the control
    room - just in case.  BE SURE TO RETURN IT TO THE SUBJECT AFTER
    THE SCAN.
5.  When the subject is ready, take him or her to the Siemens scanning
    suite and the techs will be responsible for placing the subject
    on the scanner bed.  Make sure the subject is comfortable, remind
    him or her that it's important to do this at the beginning so that
    he/she will be able to lie still for the 75 minutes of the scan.
    With older subjects: be generous with the blankets.  A small
    cushion or piece of foam under the next may help to ease strain on
    the spine.  A cushion under the knees will help the spine remain
    in a neutral position.  Sometimes, older subjects will find it
    difficult to straighten out completely.  If this happens, the
    tech. should remove the cushsions (I think they're actually
    receiver coils for body scans) and have the subject lie on a
    blanket on the scanner bed.
6.  Once the scans have begun, ask the tech. to put a pause between
    sequences (after every 15 minutes, or so, of scans).  During the
    pause, if the subject is able to hear, speak to him or her to
    verify that he/she is still comfortable and ready to go on to the
    next sequence.  It is helpful to advise the subject of the
    duration of the next sequence(s).


OK, more to follow...
Kate.