Chapter 2 - Functional Neuroimaging Techniques

Abstract

Functional cerebral imaging techniques allow the in vivo study of human brain functions in physiological or pathological conditions. In this chapter, we review different neuroimaging modalities (e.g., positron emission tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, electroencephalography, electrocorticography, magnetoencephalography, transcranial magnetic stimulation) that allow us to produce remarkably detailed images of the brain’s structure (i.e., anatomical imaging) and capture images of the physiology associated with mental processes (i.e., functional imaging). Through these techniques, we are able to “see” how specific regions of the brain “light up” when activities such as reading this book are performed and how our neurons and their elaborate cast of supporting cells organize and coordinate their tasks. Combining modalities together further allows the measurement of fundamental properties of the brain’s activity such as, for instance, cortical excitability and effective connectivity of corticothalamic modules with high spatiotemporal resolution. As demonstrated in the other chapters of this book, the mapping of cognitive processes is providing insight into the functional neuroanatomy of consciousness.