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. 2024;52(4):840-850.
doi: 10.1017/jme.2024.156. Epub 2025 Jan 31.

The Need for IRB Leadership to Address the New Ethical Challenges of Research with Highly Portable Neuroimaging Technologies

Donnella S Comeau  1 , Benjamin C Silverman  1 , Mahsa Alborzi Avanaki  2 , Susan M Wolf  3
Affiliations

The Need for IRB Leadership to Address the New Ethical Challenges of Research with Highly Portable Neuroimaging Technologies

Donnella S Comeau et al. J Law Med Ethics. 2024.

Abstract

The emergence of innovative neuroimaging technologies, particularly highly portable magnetic resonance imaging (pMRI), has the potential to spawn a transformative era in neuroscience research. Resourced academic institutional review boards (IRBs) with experience overseeing traditional MRI have a special role to play in ethical governance of pMRI research and should facilitate the collaborative development of nuanced and culturally sensitive guidelines and educational resources for pMRI protocols. This paper explores the ethical challenges of pMRI in neuroscience research and the dynamic leadership role that IRBs should play to promote ethical oversight of emerging pMRI research.

Keywords: Citizen Science; IRB; Portable MRI Research; Research Ethics; Research Oversight.

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