Announcement of New Study Group on MRI Safety
Last updated 14 July 2008

The relentless drive for higher magnetic fields, faster gradients, and use of greater levels of RF power in human MR systems has bolstered the need for a better understanding of their health and safety implications.  A group of ISMRM members with interest and a track record in MRI safety took initiative in sponsoring an MRI Safety Study Group (MRISSG) last year.  Their petition to the ISMRM Board of Trustees was approved in January 2006.  Accordingly, the founding members of the MRISSG are pleased to announce the establishment of this group to all ISMRM and SMRT members and invite them to join the group for future activities.  MRISSG will complement the existing study groups in addressing critical safety and health issues.

The MRISSG aims to further the development of the latest scientific and technological methods to understand the consequences of exposure of human body to the environment of MR scanners.  This will be achieved by providing a forum for the discussion of current and future issues related to the measurement of various physiological and anatomical signals of exposure to MRI.  In doing so, the emphasis will be placed on the use of existing proven methods while fostering the development of innovative techniques to detect any possible adverse interactions of different components of MR systems with human body structure and function. The objective of the MRISSG is to provide a venue for research and recommendations in biological, health effects and safety aspects of MRI.

Specific goals include:

1.  To heighten awareness about the safety aspects of MR among researchers and clinicians;

2.  To integrate findings of safety research into clinical practice;

3.  To identify areas for new research, validation and collaboration. In doing so, the following areas will be specifically emphasized:

• Explore the nature and the extent of interaction of static magnetic fields, radiofrequency (RF) energy, and gradient fields with human body structure and function;

• Use exiting techniques and develop new acceptable (Note: the term compatible is no longer used) approaches to measuring physiologic parameters associate with the human body that could be affected by MRI;

• The impact of knowledge gained from MRI safety studies in design of new generation of MR scanners;

• To better understand MRI effects on the human body at different levels from molecular to system level and whether these effects have MR signal implications.

4.  To share opinions on controversial topics;

5.  To develop position statements, white papers, and recommendations based on the latest peer-reviewed information;

6.  To attract greater participation in ISMRM by scientists and clinicians interested in MRI safety issues.

This study group will provide a forum for ISMRM and SMRT members interested in these topics in which scientific advances will be discussed and controversial aspects explored.  It will do this by means of a short meeting during the annual ISMRM meeting, regular workshops (at least bi-annually), and web-based discussions.  The scientific activities of the group shall be explicitly organized so as to foster discussion.

Once fully operational, the governing committee will have six members. In the initial period up to the Seattle meeting of the study group, the organizers will act as follows:

Chairperson:             Alayar Kangarlu
Program Director:      Frank G. Shellock
Secretary:                J. Daniel Schaeffer

At the end of this year, elections will be held for the offices of Chairperson-Elect, Secretary-Elect, and Program-Director-Elect, who will assume these functions at the Toronto Meeting.

Study group membership is free to Student members, Associate members, and MRI technologists.  ISMRM Full Members will be charged US$10 per group to join.  To join the ISMRM MRI Safety Study Group, please contact the ISMRM Central Office.  We encourage the participation of all ISMRM and SMRT members in the activities of the MRI Safety Study Group.

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