Functional magnetic resonance imaging

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a neuroimaging technique that allows for the visualization of brain activity. This is achieved by detecting changes in blood flow in the brain, which are associated with neural activity.

Overview[edit | edit source]

fMRI is based on the principle of Blood-oxygen-level dependent (BOLD) contrast, which takes advantage of the fact that oxygenated and deoxygenated blood have different magnetic properties. When a particular area of the brain is active, there is an increased demand for oxygen, leading to an increase in blood flow to that area. This change in blood flow can be detected by the fMRI scanner, allowing for the visualization of brain activity.

Applications[edit | edit source]

fMRI has a wide range of applications in both research and clinical settings. In research, it is often used to study brain function and to investigate the neural correlates of various cognitive and emotional processes. In the clinical setting, fMRI can be used to preoperatively map brain function, to assess the effects of stroke or other neurological disorders, and to study the progression of neurodegenerative diseases.

Limitations[edit | edit source]

While fMRI is a powerful tool, it also has several limitations. These include its relatively low spatial resolution, the fact that it only provides indirect measures of neural activity, and the susceptibility of fMRI data to various types of noise and artifacts.

References[edit | edit source]

Functional magnetic resonance imaging Resources
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