An introduction to functional magnetic resonance imaging of the brain

Abstract

AbstractThis chapter provides an overview of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) methods and applications, highlighting key concepts and strategies, and includes the full range of techniques by which physiological changes accompanying brain activity are defined. It focuses on the changes in blood oxygenation and flow that have been used for the functional magnetic resonance imaging methods. Direct imaging of the blood flow response using perfusion MRI is also discussed. The study furthermore deals with elegant methods that have been developed and allow an extension of this simple concept for one-dimensional imaging into methods for multi-slice two-dimensional or three-dimensional imaging. It outlines the major issues in statistical analysis for fMRI and addresses ways in which the data can be prepared for analysis to minimize artefacts and maximize sensitivity for the detection of activation changes. Finally, the chapter discusses the various applications of fMRI in neuroscience.