Highly Portable and Cloud-Enabled Neuroimaging Research: Key Resources & Publications

_{Last updated February 3, 2025}

This web page provides updates and disseminates resources related to an innovative project based at the University of Minnesota to conduct empirical research and generate evidence-based consensus recommendations for the ethical conduct of research using highly portable, cloud-enabled MRI in new and diverse populations in field settings. The project includes a national Working Group of top neuroethics, neurolaw, and neuroscience experts.

Highly-portable MRI, a transformative technology supported by the NIH BRAIN Initiative, will allow researchers to conduct population-based neuroscience research, including racial and ethnic minorities, rural, and socioeconomically disadvantaged populations that are currently underrepresented in neuroimaging research, and will accelerate research on brain biomarkers for neurodegeneration. This project is addressing fundamental challenges in field-based neuroimaging research such as informed consent, data privacy, and return of results. 

This web page includes publications and presentations supported by an NIH Neuroethics administrative supplement (2018-2019), an NIH Bioethics administrative supplement (2019-2020) and an NIH four-year grant on highly portable and cloud-enabled research (2020-24).

RF1 Working Group Members

Bibliography on ELSI Implications

Publications and Presentations

• Shen FX, Anazodo U, Yakubu M, Vaughan JT. Deploying Portable and Accessible MRI in New Communities: Strategies for Anticipating and Addressing Ethical and Legal Challenges. Panel presentation. International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine Meeting May 14, 2025.
• Illes, J, Matshabane, O, Farah, M, Chaabane, L, Shen, FX. The Dawn of Highly Portable AI-Enabled MRI Research in the Community: Proactively Addressing ELSI Challenges. Panel presentation. International Neuroethics Society Annual Meeting 2025.
• Shen, FX, Wolf, SM, Lawrenz, F, Comeau, DS, Working Group on Highly Portable and Cloud-Enabled Neuroimaging Research: Confronting Ethics Challenges in Field Research with New Populations, Challenges in Using Portable MRI (pMRI) Technologies for Field-Based Research: Need for ACR Guidance on Safety and Privacy. Poster. American College of Radiology Annual Meeting 2024.
• Madzelan, MD, Lawrenz, F, Wolf, SM, Shen, FX. Ethical, Legal, and Policy Challenges In Field-Based Neuroimaging Research Using Emerging Portable MRI Technologies: Public Knowledge and Attitudes. Poster. NIH BRAIN Initiative Conference 2024.
• Shen, FX. Addressing Ethical and Legal Challenges of Portable and Accessible MRI. Presentation. ezyMRI Nerd Fest 2024.
• Shen, FX. Addressing Ethical and Legal Challenges of Portable and Accessible MRI. Presentation. Stellenbosch University Neuroethics Working Group 2024.
• Shen, FX. The Future of Neuroimaging Ethics. Presentation. Harvard Medical School Bioethics Interest Group 2024.
• Shen FX, Wolf SM, Lawrenz F. Introduction: Revolutionizing Neuroimaging Research with Highly Portable MRI: Confronting Ethical and Legal Challenges. Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics 2024;52(4):764-768;doi:10.1017/jme.2024.161.
• Shen FX, Wolf SM, Lawrenz F, Comeau DS, Evans BJ, Fair D, Farah MJ, Garwood M, Han SD, Illes J, Jackson JD, Klein E, Rosen MS, Torres E, Tuite P, Vaughn JT. Conducting Research with Highly Portable MRI in Community Settings: A Practical Guide to Navigating Ethical Issues and ELSI Checklist. Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics 2024;52(4):769-785;doi:10.1017/jme.2024.162.
• Madzelan M, Lawrenz F, Wolf SM, Shen FX. Expert Stakeholder Perspectives on Emerging Technology for Neuroimaging Research with Highly Portable MRI: The Need for Guidance on Ethical, Legal, and Societal Issues. Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics 2024;52(4):786-804;doi:10.1017/jme.2024.160.
• Wolf SM, Illes J. Far from Home: Managing Incidental Findings in Field Research with Portable MRI. Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics 2024;52(4):805-815;doi:10.1017/jme.2024.169.
• Birly S, Teeple A, Illes J. The Realization of Portable MRI for Indigenous Communities in the USA and Canada. Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics 2024;52(4):816-823;doi:10.1017/jme.2024.159.
• Farah M. Socioeconomic Factors in Brain Research: Increasing Sample Representativeness with Portable MRI. Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics 2024;52(4):824-829;doi:10.1017/jme.2024.168.
• Klein E, Han SD, Tuite P, Kimberly WT, Agarwal M. Portable Accessible MRI in Dementia Research: Ethical Considerations About Research Representation and Dementia-Friendly Technology. Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics 2024;52(4):830-839;doi:10.1017/jme.2024.157.
• Comeau DS, Silverman BC, Avanki MA, Wolf SM. The Need for IRB Leadership to Address the New Ethical Challenges of Research with Highly Portable Neuroimaging Technologies. Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics 2024;52(4):840-850;doi:10.1017/jme.2024.156.
• Evans B. Ethical Oversight and Social Licensing of Portable MRI Research. Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics 2024;52(4):851-867;doi:10.1017/jme.2024.166.
• Shen FX, Wolf SM, Lawrenz F, Comeau DS, Dzirasa K, Evans BJ, Fair D, Farah MJ, Han SD, Illes J, Jackson JD, Klein E, Rommelfanger KS, Rosen MS, Torres E, Tuite P, Vaughan JT, Garwood M. Ethical, Legal, and Policy Challenges in Field-Based Neuroimaging Research Using Emerging Portable MRI Technologies: Guidance for Investigators and for Oversight. Journal of Law and the Biosciences 2024;11(1):1-61;doi:10.1093/jlb/lsae008.
• Daniels F, Torres E, Lawrenz F, Wolf SW, Shen FX. Scientists' perspectives on ethical issues in research with emerging portable neuroimaging technology: The need for guidance on ethical, legal, and societal implications (ELSI). NMR in Biomedicine 2024;37(9):1-10;doi:10.1002/nbm.5243.
• Lu N, Strander S, Shen FX, Health Care Needs a New Profession: Neuroimaging Counseling. STAT May 14, 2024. Accessed February 3, 2025.
• Kimberly WT, Sorby-Adams AJ, Webb AG, Wu EX, Beekman R, Bowry R, Schiff SJ, de Havenon A, Shen FX, Sze G, Schaefer P, Iglesias JE, Rosen MS, Seth KN. Brain Imaging With Portable Low-Field MRI. Nature Reviews Bioengineering 2023;1:617–630;doi:10.1038/s44222-023-00086-w.
• Comeau DS, Silverman BC, Wolf SM. Role of Institutional Review Boards in Ensuring Ethical Oversight of Neuroimaging Research Using Emerging, Highly Portable MRI. PRIMR23 2023. Abstract (accepted).
• Shen FX, Lawrenz F, Torres E, Wolf SM. Key Expert Stakeholder Perspectives on the Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications of Emerging Technology for Highly Portable and Accessible MRI. Poster. International Neuroethics Society Meeting 2022.
• Shen, FX. Ethical, Legal & Social Implications (ELSI) of Portable MRI Research. Presentation. ISMRM Workshop on Low Field MRI 2022.
• Shen FX, Lawrenz FP, Wolf SM, Garwood M. The Need for ELSI Guidance on Mobile Neuroimaging Technologies: Stakeholder Perspectives of Scientists Developing the Technologies. Poster abstract accepted: BRAIN Initiative Investigators Meeting 2021.
• Shen FX, Wolf SM, Bhavnani S, Deoni S, Elison J, Fair D, Garwood M, Gee M, Geethanath S, Kay K, Lim K, Lockwood-Estrin G, Luciana M, Peloquin D, Rommelfanger K, Schiess N, Siddiqui K, Torres E, Vaughn JT.  Emerging Ethical Issues Raised by Highly Portable MRI Research in Remote and Resource-Limited International Settings. NeuroImage 2021;doi:10.1016/118210.
• Shen FX, Wolf SM, Fair D, Farah M, Garwood M, Han D, Illes J, Kimberly W., Klein E, Rommelfanger K, Rosen M, Sheth K, Torres E, Tuite P, Vaughan J. Challenges in Deploying Low-Field and Ultra-Low Field MRI in Research, Clinical Care, Population Screening, and Direct-to-Consumer Use. Abstract. American Academy of Neurology meeting 2022.
• Shen FX, Wolf SM, Gonzalez R, Garwood M. Ethical Issues Posed by Field Research Using Highly Portable and Cloud-Enabled Neuroimaging. Neuron 2020;105(5): 771-775;doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2020.01.041.
• Shen FX, Wolf SM, Lawrenz F, Comeau DS, with the Working Group on Highly Portable and Cloud-Enabled Neuroimaging Research: Confronting Ethics Challenges in Field Research with New Populations. Challenges in Using Portable MRI (pMRI) Technologies for Field-Based Research; Need for ACR Guidance. Abstract accepted. American College of Radiology 2024 Annual Meeting 2023.
• Shen FX, Wolf SM, Lawrenz F, Comeau DS, Dzirasa K, Evans B, Fair D, Farah M, Han S, Illes J, Jackson J, Klein E, Rommelfanger KS, Rosen MS, Torres E, Tuite P, Vaughan J, Garwood M. Ethical, Legal, and Policy Challenges in Field-Based Neuroimaging Research Using Emerging Portable MRI Technologies: Guidance for Investigators and for Oversight. Poster. NIH BRAIN Initiative Meeting 2023.
• Shen FX, Wolf SM, McGeveran W, Garwood M, Gonzalez R. The Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications of Highly Portable and Cloud-Enabled Neuroimaging in the Field. Poster. International Neuroethics Society (INS) Annual Meeting 2019 (Outstanding Poster Award).
• Wolf SM, Shen FX. Comment, Ethical Challenges in Remote Research. JAMA 2021;325(19):1935-1936;doi:10.1001/jama.2021.4609.