Abstract
IntroductionFunctional MRI (fMRI) is commonly used to investigate the neural mechanisms underlying psychological processes and behavioral responses. However, to draw well‐founded conclusions from fMRI studies, more research on the reliability of fMRI is needed.MethodsWe invited a sample of 41 female students to participate in two identical fMRI sessions, separated by 5 weeks on average. To investigate the potential effect of left‐handedness on the stability of neural activity, we oversampled left‐handed participants (N = 20). Inside the scanner, we presented photographs of familiar and unfamiliar children's faces preceded by neutral and threatening primes to the participants. We calculated intraclass correlations (ICCs) to investigate the test–retest reliability of peak activity in areas that showed significant activity during the first session (primary visual cortex, fusiform face area, inferior frontal gyrus, and superior temporal gyrus). In addition, we examined how many trials were needed to reliably measure the effects.ResultsAcross all participants, only fusiform face area activity in response to faces showed good test–retest reliability (ICC = 0.71). All other test–retest reliabilities were low (0.01 ≤ ICC ≤ 0.35). Reliabilities varied only slightly with increasing numbers of trials, with no consistent increase in ICCs. Test–retest reliabilities for left‐handed participants (0.28 ≤ ICC ≤0.66) were generally somewhat higher than for right‐handed participants (−0.13 ≤ ICC ≤0.75), but not statistically significant.ConclusionOur study shows good test–retest reliability for fusiform facer area activity in response to faces, but low test–retest reliability for other contrasts and areas.
Highlights
Functional MRI is commonly used to investigate the neural mechanisms underlying psychological processes and behavioral responses
The main purpose of this study was to assess test–retest reliability of significant Functional MRI (fMRI) activity acquired during a face processing paradigm in a priming context
Reliabilities of structural MRI data were generally excellent, with the exception of good reliability for right amygdala volume measured in left‐handed participants
Summary
Functional MRI (fMRI) is commonly used to investigate the neural mechanisms underlying psychological processes and behavioral responses. Results: Across all participants, only fusiform face area activity in response to faces showed good test–retest reliability (ICC = 0.71). FMRI test–retest reliability was investigated using various tasks and experimental designs (Bennett & Miller, 2010; Herting, Gautam, Chen, Mezher, & Vetter, 2017). The considerable variance in ICC values for task‐related fMRI measures may be caused by technical factors (e.g., magnet strength of the scanner), the brain area and process under investigation (e.g., visual processing, memory), task design (e.g., block design vs event‐related design), sample characteristics, and the time interval between the two assessments (Bennett & Miller, 2010; Herting et al, 2017). We investigated the influence of some of these factors on test–retest reliability in a face processing paradigm
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
