Parental consent for neuroimaging in paediatric research

Abstract

Background: Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is increasingly applied in paediatric research. Parents typically provide research consent for their children; yet, no study has examined the rates of consent, nor factors influencing parental decision making for consent. The present study aimed to determine the proportion of parents that would consent to their child undergoing an fMRI study, and to elicit the reasons, motivators and detractors affecting their decision. Methods: Ninety parents of children aged 6 years were invited to participate in a postal survey study. Results: Fifty-three parents (59%) responded and one-third (34%, 18/53) reported that they would consent. The main r..