Research Critique 1

Less head motion during MRI under task than resting-state conditions

Aurora Krec

800974065

University of North Carolina - Charlotte

Research Critique 2

SUMMARY

It is known that head motion during an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Image) scan causes

the quality of the data to plummet. The question, however are patients more or less likely to be

physically stagnant when undergoing cognitive engagement? This may not seem like a very

important topic to some. Considering the amount of people suffering disabilities such as

Alzheimers, ADHD/ADD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder/Attention Deficit Disorder),

and Parkinsons that require MRI scans frequently despite the struggle that comes along, this

proves to be a fairly important cause. The researchers wanted to figure out whether or not

cognitive engagement reduced head motion because it could potentially save time, money, and

effort in hospitals across the world. This statement can be agreed upon and backed up by many.

The standard MRI takes approximately forty-five minutes to complete and costs over $2,500. By

reducing the amount of re-takes a patient must go through, hospitals can cut the time down

significantly as well as the price. Whats the exact hypothesis, you ask? In an MRI machine,

cognitive engagement leads to a reduced amount of physical activity, ultimately winding up with

a shorter, more accurate scan. Because every good hypothesis is completely testable and can be

proven/disproven, researchers from UCLA (University of California Los Angeles) held a series

of experiments. Overall, a total of 369 patients were explored. In the first, there were fifty-six

participants within the ages twenty and forty-six. Thirty-two of them were female, and the

average age was twenty-five. This trial included auditory and visual stimuli by the use of

earphones and a monitor respectively. In the second, data from 290 participants were studied.

124 of them were female, and the average age was thirty-three. This trial was different than the

others, not only because of the size but because of the variety in psychological status. According

to the records, if the patients werent completely healthy, they had either Schizophrenia, Bipolar
Research Critique 3

Disorder, or ADHD. Also, it occurred on two separate days. In the third experiment, twenty-

three participants (thirteen of which were female) were recruited. The lowest and highest ages in

this test group were twenty-eight and seventy-eight respectively. In the first experiment, EPI

(Echoplanar Imaging) was used. Two different scans were taken, with a rest of eighteen minutes

between the two. To find the results, the images were put in a software that found the similarities

and differences. In the second, the psychological condition of the patient was noted, and four

different scans were taken over a period of two days as to avoid the stress of the participants.

The patients with ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, and Schizophrenia were not sedated to ensure

serenity, but were instructed to go in normally. By running the test without extra medication, the

researchers are able to determine whether or not cognitive engagement truly benefits the efficacy

of a single scan. The four images were then compared in a similar program as the first, and the

result was established. In the final experiment, five different MRI scans were performed. They

each had different patient-states, however: resting-state, a retrieval task, a working memory task,

a memory encoding activity, and a movie without sound. Like the other two trials, the images

were then compared for the variance. After all three experiments had been completed with the

data published, the overall result was found: cognitive engagement does reduce head motion

during an MRI scan.

CRITIQUE

This experiment was entirely rational and reasonably specific. If the sample was too

generic, then nothing would be accomplished. By varying the type of activities the participants

underwent in addition to the psychological state of the patients, the overall result was capable of

being proven in many different ways. The only limitation was that there were only three

disorders tested.
Research Critique 4

NEWS BRIEF

UCLA has recently completed a series of studies to answer this serious question: when

going through an MRI, does being cured of boredom help the success of the scan? By testing a

wide range of patients in terms of age, sex, location, culture, and emotional condition, the

researchers were able to come up with a clear answer. Listening to music, watching a movie,

having your memory tested, etc. will help you keep still and remain calm during the longest half-

hour of your life. This is important not only because it leads to less money draining from your

pocket, but because it also puts people that are easily anxious to ease.