Effects of magnetic stray fields from a 7 Tesla MRI scanner on neurocognition: a double-blind randomised crossover study

Lotte E. van Nierop, Pauline Slottje, Martine J. E. van Zandvoort, Frank de Vocht, Hans Kromhout*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle (Academic Journal)peer-review

55 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective This study characterises neurocognitive domains that are affected by movement-induced time-varying magnetic fields (TVMF) within a static magnetic stray field (SMF) of a 7 Tesla (T) MRI scanner.

Methods Using a double-blind randomised crossover design, 31 healthy volunteers were tested in a sham (0 T), low (0.5 T) and high (1.0 T) SMF exposure condition. Standardised head movements were made before every neurocognitive task to induce TVMF.

Results Of the six tested neurocognitive domains, we demonstrated that attention and concentration were negatively affected when exposed to TVMF within an SMF (varying from 5.0% to 21.1% per Tesla exposure, p

Conclusion Neurocognitive functioning is modulated when exposed to movement-induced TVMF within an SMF of a 7 T MRI scanner. Domains that were affected include attention/concentration and visuospatial orientation. Further studies are needed to better understand the mechanisms and possible practical safety and health implications of these acute neurocognitive effects.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)759-766
Number of pages8
JournalOccupational and Environmental Medicine
Volume69
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2012

Keywords

  • HEALTH COMPLAINTS
  • EXPOSURE
  • PERFORMANCE

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