MRI Information

My Visit to the Vanderbilt MRI Lab

What to expect during your MRI scan

Hi! My name is Sam. I was a research helper in the EBRL lab at Vanderbilt University.

I want to tell you about my trip to the imaging building!

First, I met my scan buddy.

She taught me about the MRI and answered all of my questions.

I learned the MRI is like a really big camera. Scientists use it to study the brain. 

After lunch, my scan buddy and I went to the mock scanner room.

This machine is exactly like the real MRI. But it is just for practice.

I practiced keeping my head very still – like a statue!

My scan buddy put headphones on my ears. I hear music!

She put a special helmet over my head. Now I can see the video screen.

 I get to watch a movie!

In I go!!!!!

3…

2…

1…

After the mock scanner, I went to the bathroom. You should go too. The scan takes thirty minutes. It is like going to the movies - you don’t want to miss anything!

My scan buddy told me that I could not wear metal in the scanner room. This meant no necklaces, earrings, hair clips…

Check now to see if you are wearing anything with metal. 

Then it was time to go into the scanner room!

My scan buddy put everything on me just like in the mock scanner room.

She also told me that I could stop at any time and no one would be mad at me. 

My scan buddy stayed in the room with me.

I watched a cartoon and held my head very still.

Before I knew it, it was over.

When I was done I got a picture of my brain! How cool is that?

I had fun! I hope that you have a great time too!