MRI Prep

Test the Experiment Script

Before the scan date, experimenters should do a dry run of the experiment script to ensure familiarity with running it. We wish to avoid having participants waiting uncomfortably in the scanner while we troubleshoot our scripts!

Open a terminal window (if one is not already open) and navigate to the directory containing the script to be run that day. The script is likely to be found in a subdirectory under /home/Experimenter/Documents/MATLAB/

cd /home/experimenter/Documents/MATLAB/<projectname>

For example, we are currently developing the protocols for a lexical decision task (LDT). Those files are in ~/Experimenter/Documents/MATLAB/LDT/

Launch MATLAB

ptb3-matlab

Run the script, using a dummy subject ID (e.g., 9999)

>>runsubject(9999,1,'A')

Of course, the name of the experiment script is likely to differ from project to project. You should be familiar with the names of the scripts you will be running. A wiki link listing the names of all important files for each ongoing and archived experiment will probably make its way on to this site eventually.

Gather Equipment

The fMRI experiments are going to need, at a minimum, the experiment laptop. Ensure that you know the whereabouts of the laptop, power cord and mouse.

Gather Forms, Documentation and Payment

Participants are remunerated at a rate of $20/hr for fMRI studies. Often studies will go past 1 hour, in which case they receive $30 for a 90 minute session. Payment will typically take the form of Amazon gift cards, which can be purchased online or at a number of retailers, including Loewe's and CVS (receipts for the cards can be brought to Nancy Barletta in Park 206b). The payment cards and a hard copy receipt form should be placed in a file folder packed along with the laptop. The scanner control room usually has a pen available, but it wouldn't hurt to have one packed with the forms.

A debriefing form and consent document (if one has not already been provided) should also be placed in the file folder. Written consent is not obtained (we obtain verbal consent), and the participant needs to be provided with the information required to give informed consent.