Visual feedback to stabilize head position for fMRI.

Head motion is a common cause of technical failure in functional magnetic resonance imaging. A simple visual alignment system has been developed to provide visual feedback to the subject about his or her head position. The subject is able to readjust his or her head position accurately during a study, should motion occur. This sighting system is incorporated into a visor that fits onto the commercial head coil. The accuracy of correcting head motion and activation maps obtained with this device are demonstrated. The cognitive workload of using the alignment system does not significantly alter the activation pattern associated with eye movement paradigms.