Vital Signs and Cognitive Function Are Not Affected by 23-Sodium and 17-Oxygen Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Human Brain at 9.4 T

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of 23-sodium (Na-23) and 17-oxygen (O-17) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 9.4 (T) on vital signs and cognitive function of the human brain. Materials and Methods: Vital sign and cognitive function measurements from healthy volunteers (N = 14) positioned outside and at isocenter of a 9.4 T scanner before and after Na-23 and O-17 MRI were compared for changes due to exposure to the static magnetic field and to the gradient switching and radiofrequency radiation during M. Results: Exposure to the 9.4 T static magnetic field and Na-23 and O-17 MRI at 105.92 MHz and 54.25 MHz, respectively, did not have a statistically significant (P > 0.05) effect on the vital signs or cognitive function of healthy normal adults. Conclusion: Na-23 and O-17 MRI of the human brain at 9.4 T does not have any readily demonstrated health risks reflected in vital signs or change in cognitive performance.