Neuroimaging Ethics: From Theory to Practice

Recent progress in the field of neuroimaging has increased our ability to combat neurological disease and to obtain insights into the mysteries of human brain function; however, this progress has also given rise to serious ethical issues. Our New Emerging Team (NET) will explore these issues, with its immediate research activities focusing on pressing and complex ethical issues surrounding magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) research involving a particularly vulnerable research population, children (including those with and without developmental abnormalities). The collaborative efforts of our multidisciplinary team will be brought to bear in the conduct of three specific projects directed at: (1) delivering a strong conceptual framework for ethical decision-making in paediatric MRI research (this framework will influence the other projects); (2) developing methods to reduce problems encountered in paediatric MRI research (e.g., anxiety children experience when undergoing MRI procedures); and (3) developing clinical guidelines and best practices (e.g., sedation guidelines for paediatric MRI). Subsequent research will shift to other populations as well as other imaging modalities.