A Pilot Study on Neuroimaging in SCD: Part of The Boston Consortium to Cure Sickle Cell Disease

Inclusion Criteria: Group 1 (healthy controls): * Children ages 8-18 without SCD Group 2 (SCD patients without treatment): * SCD patients ages 8-18 who: * have not undergone gene therapy or a bone marrow transplant * are not receiving chronic transfusions * have not received a blood transfusion in the past 3 months Group 3 (SCD patients who have undergone gene therapy): * SCD patients ages 8-18 who have had gene therapy at least one month prior to enrollment Group 4 (SCD patients who have chronic transfusions): * SCD patients ages 8-18 who receive chronic transfusions Exclusion Criteria: * Electrical implants such as cardiac pacemakers or perfusion pumps; * Ferromagnetic implants such as aneurysm clips, surgical clips, prosthesis, artificial hearts, valves with steel parts, metal fragments, shrapnel, tattoos near the eye, or steel implants; * Ferromagnetic objects such as jewelry or metal clips; * Women of childbearing age who are seeking to become pregnant, who are breastfeeding, or who suspect they may be pregnant; * Pre-existing medical conditions including a likelihood of developing seizures or claustrophobic reactions; * Any greater than normal potential for cardiac arrest; * Subjects requiring sedation for MRI