| Social, Cognitive, and Affective Neuroscience |
The SCAN Center





What is MRI/fMRI?
MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging and uses a large magnetic field to create images of the body. fMRI, which is a type of MRI measures signal changes in the brain due to different types of sensations or activity.
Are there any side effects to fMRI?
Currently there are no known health risks caused by the MRI. However since MRI uses a large magnetic field there are certain objects that cannot go into the scanning room. You will be asked to fill out a clearance form before being allowed into the MRI area. It is important that you fill out this form honestly so that we can ensure your safety.
You must also remove all objects from your pockets, including but not limited to: wallets, I-Pods, cell phones, jewelry, piercings, watches, hearing aids, keys, eye glasses, hair pins/barrettes and money.
Tattoos above the knee can also be effected by the MRI so be certain to tell the Researcher if you have one.
The most common complaint of the scanner is the noise associated with the scan and the fact you are required to stay very still.
What will the experiment entail?
Each experiment is different based on what the investigator is looking at. Some experiments will use visual stimuli while other will use audio stimuli or both. Please refer specific questions about the study to the Researcher who scheduled you.
What should I expect inside the scanning room?
The first thing you will do is go over your clearance form with the MRI Technologist to make sure you are able to enter the MRI scanning room. Once inside we will have you remove your shoes and give you ear plugs to help with the scanning noise. You will lie on our MRI table and place your head in a coil. Next we will provide you with a headset that will be used to communicate with you throughout the study. At this point, please try to get as comfortable as you can.
It is extremely important to stay as still as you can while in the scanner. We will use wedges in the coil to help stabilize your head.
Finally, we will put you into the MRI tube with your head resting in the center of the machine. You will also be given an emergency ball if at any time you would like to be removed from the scanner.
The lights will dim and we will start the exam. At this point you will hear the machine make noise.
Where do I go on the day of the experiment?
For each study a meeting place might be different. Please check with your investigator before your exam.
If you are unable to reach your investigator you can meet at the SCAN Center (printable directions), 15 minutes before your scheduled timeslot.
What do I need to do to prepare for scanning?
1. Refrain from drug and alcohol use 48 hrs before imaging.
2. If you wear glasses, please change to your non-colored contact lenses. If you do not wear contacts we will provide you with plastic MRI safe glasses. If you require these please bring your prescription with you.
3. Wear comfortable clothing with no ferro-magnetic metal. (zippers and buttons on jeans are o.k.)
4. Do NOT wear any type of makeup to the exam. Refrain from using blush, eye shadow, eye liner and mascara.
5. Do NOT use any gel or wax in your hair. If you have dreadlocks, braids or any beads in your hair they will have to be removed before being scanned.
6. All piercings must be removed prior to the study.
What happens if I need to cancel?
If you know you have to cancel, please do so at least 48-24 hours ahead of time. That gives the researchers time to find someone else. Otherwise, they will have to pay for the scan even if you don't show up.
How do I sign up for a study?
Check out the studies currently being run at the SCAN center to see if you are eligible for them. To view current studies, click on "Publications/Studies" link on the top menu.
If interested please contact the studies primary investigator for more information.

The SCAN Center at Stony Brook University
The SCAN (Social, Cognitive, and Affective Neuroscience) Center is an NSF-funded Provostial facility devoted to studying the structure and function of the human brain. It is equipped with a state-of-the-art Siemens Trio 3 Tesla MRI scanner, installed in the spring of 2009, and housed in its own building located near the Life Sciences Building. Other instruments associated with the SCAN Center include an MR-compatible eye-tracking system, a MR-compatible coil for noninvasive transcranial magnetic stimulation of the brain, and physiological monitoring systems.
Researchers from West Campus, the Medical School, the School of Engineering, and from Brookhaven National Laboratory use the scanner to address a number of different fundamental questions in neuroimaging, as illustrated with these examples below.
In Social Neuroscience, researchers are studying how individual differences in the experience of loneliness or social stress reflect underlying differences in relevant neural circuits, and how these activation differences can be predicted by a person's unique life history and genetic predispositions. Others investigate how activation of reward circuits through positive social interactions with one's spouse acts to reduce nicotine cravings in heavy smokers. Studies on Autism are in the planning stages.
In Cognitive Neuroscience, researchers are investigating the fascinating phenomenon of post-operative cognitive deficits, which affect 20-30% of patients undergoing cardio-pulmonary bypass, major thoracic and vascular procedures, by comparing chemical signatures of metabolic activity in the hippocampus (a key brain region involved in learning and memory) before and after surgery. Others conduct studies of the brain basis of working memory, the control of voluntary behavior, and of impulsive decision-making
In Affective Neuroscience, investigators are conducting a study of generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder. This study will examine neural activity as a function of diagnosis, and will quantify excitatory and inhibitory components of emotional processing, with the goal of articulating better models of emotional processing abnormalities in both anxiety and depression. Other studies address the interaction of attention and emotion, and the neurogenetics of emotion regulation.
Other activities include Research & Development, such as the development to conduct parallel recording and noninvasive brain stimulation experimental designs. The SCAN Center is also available for Teaching & Training purposes, and supports both funded and non-funded research projects related to its core mission of Social, Cognitive, and Affective Neuroscience. It is available to off-campus researchers, and has been featured in a documentary on the Discovery Channel.

How to get started:
Before using the SCAN Center your study must be approved by Stony Brook’s IRB. To view information on the IRB click here.
Once approved, the SCAN center offers 10 free pilot scans to get your study up and running. Dr. Caparelli, our physicist can assist you in optimizing your parameters in order to receive the best results.
If you are new to MRI please review the SCAN Center MRI safety PowerPoint before coming to the center. After reviewing the PowerPoint presentation please complete this quiz (CLICK HERE) so we are sure you are up to date on MRI safety. There will be a certificate you need to print out after you submit your score. If you have any questions please contact us.
If you would like to schedule an orientation/tour of the center please contact Kim at KMBurke@notes.cc.sunysb.edu
How to schedule an appointment:
Before you schedule an appointment be sure to review the SCAN Center User Policy.
Normal hours of operation are Monday thru Friday 9 AM - 5 PM. Once you know when you would like to schedule your study please send an email to Kim at kmburke@notes.cc.sunysb.edu with the time and date you require. Please remember your appointment is not confirmed until you receive a confirmation email back.
The SCAN center also has a small interview room that can be used for interviewing or behavioral studies. This room must be booked ahead of time using the same method as above.
To view our openings click here.
Fees:
As of December 2010, the price per scanning hour is $575.00 for Stony Brook University/Medical Investigatorsand $650.00 for outside investigators.
A typical scanning session lasts from 1-2 hours.
The scanning session includes:
• Setting up of all equipment
• Clearing, orienting and putting the subject in the scanner
• Actual scanning of the exam
• Breakdown of equipment and cleanup
Our normal business hours are Monday-Friday 9am - 5pm.
Calendar:
Link: http://www.psychology.sunysb.edu/tcanli-/scanner.htm
Purple Blocks are studies for the Scanner and cannot be doubled booked. Please refer to the SCAN Center Policies regarding scheduling privileges.
Green Blocks are studies for the Interview Room, you can still book the scanner during these times.
Forms:
Researcher Clearance Form - You can download a copy of our clearance form which must be filled out before going into the MRI environment.
Subject Clearance Form – You can download a copy of our Subject Volunteer Clearance Form which must be filled out by your subject prior to your scheduled scan session.
MRI Safety PowerPoint – Please review this PowerPoint before using our center. If you plan on using RA’s to help run your study they must fill out a clearance form and view this PowerPoint as well.
Software:
The SCAN Center houses a Siemens MAGNETOM Trio Tim 3 Tesla scanner and currently runs on Siemens new B-17 platform.
In addition to the basic MRI, fMRI/EPI and high resolution 3D scans we also have software to run DTI (Diffusion Tensor Imaging) and ASL (Arterial Spin Labeling) sequences.
Equipment: (Click on Equipment/Software above to view images)
Scanner: Siemens MAGNETOM Trio Tim 3 Tesla system scanner. The scanner features a short whole-body superconductive magnet, actively shielded water-cooled gradient system, Digital RF transmit and receive system, RF coils, a Total Imaging Matrix with 102 integrated coil elements and 18 RF channels.
Coils: The SCAN center has a 12 channel head coil and 12 channel spine coil.
Response Pad: Offers 4 response keys and is compatible with both a PC and MAC computer.
Paradigm Software: E-Prime 1.2, E-Prime 2.0 and Experiment Builder are installed on our presentation computer. If you run your experiment with another software prior notice is needed before installation.
EyeLink: SR Research Eye Link 1000 software and hardware
Projector: BrainLogics MR Digital Projector (Model BLMRDP-A05). The projector runs at 60HZ and has a visual resolution of 1024 x 768
Audio stimulation: SereneSound - Resonance Technology Inc. with external noise attenuating MRI-compatible headphones.
TMS: The MAGSTIM Company Limited – Magstim Super Rapid Unit (120V)
News/Notes/Upcoming Events:
Nothing upcoming at this time.
Directions:
SCAN Center
Stony Brook University
100 Nicholls Road
Stony Brook, NY 11794-5299
Phone Number: 631-632-4784
Click here for directions
SCAN Center
Stony Brook University
100 Nicholls Road
Stony Brook, NY 11794-5299
Phone Number: 631-632-4784
Appointment Scheduling:
KMBurke@notes.cc.sunysb.edu


Scanner: Siemens MAGNETOM Trio Tim 3 Tesla system scanner. The scanner features a short whole-body superconductive magnet, actively shielded water-cooled gradient system, Digital RF transmit and receive system, RF coils, a Total Imaging Matrix with 102 integrated coil elements and 18 RF channels.
Response Pad: Offers 4 response keys and is compatible
with both a PC and MAC computer.
EyeLink: SR Research Eye Link 1000 software and hardware
Projector: BrainLogics MR Digital Projector (Model BLMRDP-A05). The projector runs at 60HZ and has a visual resolution of 1024 x 768
Audio stimulation: SereneSound - Resonance Technology Inc. with external noise attenuating MRI-compatible headphones.
Equipment & Software:
Paradigm Software: E-Prime 1.2, E-Prime 2.0 and Experiment Builder are installed on our presentation computer. If you run your experiment with another software prior notice is needed before installation.
TMS: The MAGSTIM Company Limited – Magstim Super Rapid Unit (120V)
The SCAN center now has a Psychology Software Tools Mock Scanner located in our Psychology Department. This mock scanner can be used to simulate the feeling of a real MRI/fMRI scan.
It comes with MoTrack: Head Motion Tracking System Software that can track the movement of the subjects head during the simulated MRI scan. Using this software you can train your subject to remain still therefore cutting down on the amount of useless data you will receive on the day of the real scan.
The mock scanner is also equipped with sound effects the mimic the real sounds the subject will hear in the scanner.
To schedule time on the mock scanner please contact Kim Burke @ kmburke@notes.cc.sunysb.edu or 631-632-4784.


Working Memory and Cognitive Control fMRI Studies
Lab of Dr. Hoi-Chung Leung
This lab focuses on understanding the functional organization of the human prefrontal cortex and its interactions with other cortical and subcortical areas. Recently, they are investigating the prefrontal cortex's role in controlling information processing and motor/oculomotor response. They also examine how abnormality of the prefrontal cortex affects cognition. The lab utilizes functional MRI, eye tracking and ERP techniques in their research. To find out more about Dr. Leung's lab/studies click here:
http://www.psychology.sunysb.edu/cns/index.htm
Canli Lab Studies
Lab of Dr. Turhan Canli
The Canli lab uses fMRI to answer questions about individual differences in emotion and cognition. We are seeking healthy volunteers for a variety of studies that may include up to 1.5 hours in the scanner, questionnaires, a life events interview, saliva sampling, and a blood draw. Total participation time is between 1 and 4 hours. Payment is typically $20 per hour, with an additional $20 for a blood draw. See our flyer for additional details regarding eligibility and contact information.
Emotion Study
Lab of Dr. Lilly Mujica-Parodi
Ad #1
Ad #2


SCAN Center Stony Brook University 100 Nicholls Road Stony Brook, NY 11794-5299
Phone Number: 631-632-4784
Click here for directions |