title: Effects of magnetic stray fields from a 7 tesla MRI scanner on neurocognition: a double-blind randomised crossover study.
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<0.05), particular in situations were high working memory performance was required. In addition, visuospatial orientation was affected after exposure (46.7% per Tesla exposure, p=0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Division of Environmental Epidemiology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80178, Utrecht 3508 TD, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Lotte E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: van Nierop
authors.forename: Pauline
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Slottje
authors.forename: Martine J E
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: van Zandvoort
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: de Vocht
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kromhout
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention; D003071:Cognition; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011597:Psychomotor Performance