Exposure to high-field MRI does not affect cognitive function.
OBJECTIVE
To assess potential cognitive deficits under the influence of static magnetic fields at various field strengths some studies already exist. These studies were not focused on attention as the most vulnerable cognitive function. Additionally, mostly no magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences were performed.


METHODS
In all, 25 right-handed men were enrolled in this study. All subjects underwent one MRI examination of 63 minutes at 1.5 T and one at 7 T within an interval of 10 to 30 days. The order of the examinations was randomized. Subjects were referred to six standardized neuropsychological tests strictly focused on attention immediately before and after each MRI examination. Differences in neuropsychological variables between the timepoints before and after each MRI examination were assessed and P-values were calculated


RESULTS
Only six subtests revealed significant differences between pre- and post-MRI. In these tests the subjects achieved better results in post-MRI testing than in pre-MRI testing (P = 0.013-0.032). The other tests revealed no significant results.


CONCLUSIONS
The improvement in post-MRI testing is only explicable as a result of learning effects. MRI examinations, even in ultrahigh-field scanners, do not seem to have any persisting influence on the attention networks of human cognition immediately after exposure.
Schlamann
Marc
M
Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Hospital Essen, Germany.
Voigt
Melanie A
MA
Maderwald
Stefan
S
Bitz
Andreas K
AK
Kraff
Oliver
O
Ladd
Susanne C
SC
Ladd
Mark E
ME
Forsting
Michael
M
Wilhelm
Hans
H
D000328:Adult; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011829:Radiation Dosage