Low-motion fMRI data can be obtained in pediatric participants undergoing a 60-minute scan protocol

• Main Authors: Corey Horien, Scuddy Fontenelle, Kohrissa Joseph, Nicole Powell, Chaela Nutor, Diogo Fortes, Maureen Butler, Kelly Powell, Deanna Macris, Kangjoo Lee, Abigail S. Greene, James C. McPartland, Fred R. Volkmar, Dustin Scheinost, Katarzyna Chawarska, R. Todd Constable
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Nature Publishing Group 2020-12-01
• Series: Scientific Reports
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-78885-z

Abstract Performing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans of children can be a difficult task, as participants tend to move while being scanned. Head motion represents a significant confound in fMRI connectivity analyses. One approach to limit motion has been to use shorter MRI protocols, though this reduces the reliability of results. Hence, there is a need to implement methods to achieve high-quality, low-motion data while not sacrificing data quantity. Here we show that by using a mock scan protocol prior to a scan, in conjunction with other in-scan steps (weighted blanket and incentive system), it is possible to achieve low-motion fMRI data in pediatric participants (age range: 7–17 years old) undergoing a 60 min MRI session. We also observe that motion is low during the MRI protocol in a separate replication group of participants, including some with autism spectrum disorder. Collectively, the results indicate it is possible to conduct long scan protocols in difficult-to-scan populations and still achieve high-quality data, thus potentially allowing more reliable fMRI findings.