Peripherals and Experimental Software¶
We have a range of peripherals that allow researchers to conduct psychological experiments in the MRI.
MRI scanner¶
The Seimans Prisma 3T is a widely used scanner in neuroimaging, for further manufacturer information please see here.
Stimulus presentation¶
Cambridge Research BOLDScreen 32
This 1920x1080 @120 Hz screen is positioned at the top of the bore and can present visual stimuli which are viewable in the scanner using the mirror attachment.
The Getting Started guide is available here.
BOLDScreen32_Getting_Started
Cambridge Research BOLDfonic Audio System
This system allows audio delivery, trigger control and synhronisation with the BOLDScreen.
The User guide is available here.
BOLDfonic_MR Confon_User_Guide
Response devices¶
We have a HHSC-JOY-5 Tethyx Joystick
Response devices input optical signals to the FIU-932Universal fORP Interface. The fORP box also receives the optical trigger sent by the scanner at the start of each volume acquisition.
For studies using the button boxes the fORP box should be set as shown in photo. Check that the display is not flashing. This can happen if the experimental machine goes to sleep. Restart the box if flashing.
The buttons output ascii characters via USB to the experimental computer. Running from BLUE to RED the outputs are:
- right hand
bygr
- left hand
ewnd
The two rows of LEDs show incoming responses using the buttons. The LED at the bottom of the rightmost pair shows the scanner trigger. The top is power.
For studies using the Joystick the fORP box should be set according to these available options. Use the right wheel to scroll.
- HD Joystick
buttons act as mouse click.
- Joystick Mouse
works as a mouse with click.
- HID Joy Comp
non-responsive.
More information on using the fORP932 is available here:
Getting Started fORP932
and on this manufacturer website
Accessories¶
MR glasses
Experimental software¶
In the MRI control room is a Windows desktop computer running experimental software including:
- PsychoPy
A new software with good time keeping, see here for more information and templates
- Presentation
A comprehensive software, the software is only licenced on experimental computer inside the MRI lab.
- Matlab Psychtoolbox
Reliable software used by in pervious research at BRIC.
- OpenSesame
We do not recommend the use of OpenSesame for time-critical designs, OpenSesame is not suitable as the timming accuracy is too low.
Warning
Software versions
The experimental software installed may not be using the latest version, please ensure the version of the software you are using is compatable with the version of the experimental computer. Please do not update the software without consulting the lab heads to ensure there is no risk of experiments breaking during a study.
This machine receives input from the fORP932 as keyboard events. You can use these to record responses and to record or sync to the scanner trigger. The scanner sends a ‘t’ keyboard event as a trigger that is has begun a new aquistion