fMRI Techniques Research Articles

Disrupted Coupling Between NAA and Functional Connectivity in Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex of Drug-Naïve First-Episode Psychosis.

Ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) is an important brain region involved in many psychological functions. Previous neuroimaging studies have shown disrupted function and altered metabolic level within vmPFC of schizophrenia (SCZ) patients. However, the linkage between the functional connectivity and its underlying neurobiological mechanism in SCZ remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the altered relationship between the functional connectivity strength (FCS) and metabolic concentrations within vmPFC in drug-naïve first-episode psychosis (FEP) patients using a combined functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and single-voxel proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H- MRS) technique. There were 26 drug-naïve FEP patients and 27 matched healthy controls participated this study. We have found altered correlation between FCS and N-acetylaspartate (NAA) in drug-naïve FEP patients. In addition, the glutamate and glutamine compounds (Glx) and NAA concentrations were positively correlated with Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale (PANSS) total scores. Our findings revealed the disrupted functional-metabolic coupling within vmPFC in drug-naïve FEP patients and provided useful insights in understanding the etiology of SCZ.

In Search of a New Paradigm for Functional Magnetic Resonance Experimentation With Language.

Human language can convey a broad range of entities and relationships through processes that are highly complex and structured. All of these processes are happening somewhere inside our brains, and one way of precising these locations is through the usage of the functional magnetic resonance imaging. The great obstacle when experimenting with complex processes, however, is the need to control them while still having data that are representative of reality. When it comes to language, an interactional phenomenon in its nature, and that integrates a wide range of processes, a question emerges concerning how compatible it is with the current experimental methodology, and how much of it is lost in order to fit the controlled experimental environment. Because of its particularities, the fMRI technique imposes several limitations to the expression of language during experimentation. This paper discusses the different conceptions of language as a research object, the hardships of combining this object with the requirements of fMRI, and what are the current perspectives for this field of research.

Synchrony Between Default-Mode and Sensorimotor Networks Facilitates Motor Function in Stroke Rehabilitation: A Pilot fMRI Study.

Stroke is the most common cause of complex disability in Taiwan. After stroke onset, persistent physical practice or exercise in the rehabilitation procedure reorganizes neural assembly for reducing motor deficits, known as neuroplasticity. Neuroimaging literature showed rehabilitative effects specific to the brain networks of the sensorimotor network (SMN) and default-mode network (DMN). However, whether between-network interactions facilitate the neuroplasticity after stroke rehabilitation remains a mystery. Therefore, we conducted the longitudinal assessment protocol of stroke rehabilitation, including three types of clinical evaluations and two types of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) techniques (resting state and grasp task). Twelve chronic stroke patients completed the rehabilitation protocol for at least 24 h and finished the three-time assessments: before, after rehabilitation, and 1 month after the cessation of rehabilitation. For comparison, age-matched normal controls (NC) underwent the same fMRI evaluation once without repeated measure. Increasing scores of the Fugl–Meyer assessment (FMA) and upper extremity performance test reflected the enhanced motor performances after the stroke rehabilitation process. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) results showed that the connections between posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and iM1 were persistently enhanced in contrast to the pre-rehabilitation condition. The interactions between PCC and SMN were positively associated with motor performances. The enhanced cross-network connectivity facilitates the motor recovery after stroke rehabilitation, but the cross-network interaction was low before the rehabilitation process, similar to the level of NCs. Our findings suggested that cross-network connectivity plays a facilitatory role following the stroke rehabilitation, which can serve as a neurorehabilitative biomarker for future intervention evaluations.

Neuroimaging investigation of memory changes in migraine: a systematic review.

Individuals with migraine usually complain about lower memory performance. Diagnostic methods such as neuroimaging may help in the understanding of possible morphologic and functional changes related to the memory of those individuals. Therefore, the aim of this review is to analyze the available literature on neuroimaging changes related to memory processing in migraine. We searched the following databases: Pubmed/Medline, Psycinfo, Science Direct, Cochrane and Web of Science. We used articles without restriction of year of publication. The combination of descriptors used for this systematic review of literature were Neuroimaging OR Imaging OR Brain AND Migraine OR Chronic Migraine AND Memory. Of the 306 articles found, nine were selected and all used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The studies used structural and functional MRI techniques with a predominance of 3 Tesla equipment and T1-weighted images. According to the results obtained reported by these studies, migraine would alter the activity of memory-related structures, such as the hippocampus, insula and frontal, parietal and temporal cortices, thereby suggesting a possible mechanism by which migraine would influence memory, especially in relation to the memory of pain. Migraine is associated to global dysfunction of multisensory integration and memory processing. This condition changes the activity of structures in various regions related to memory of pain, prospective memory, as well as in short- and long-term verbal and visuospatial memories. However, it is necessary to perform studies with larger samples in association with cognitive tests, and without the interference of medications to verify possible alterations and to draw more concrete conclusions.

Examining consumers’ sensory experiences with color: A consumer neuroscience approach

AbstractThis research advances neuroscience as a tool with which to study consumers’ visual mental imagery. Applying these methods, we suggest that the presence or absence of color is a critical dimension along which consumers’ visualizations can vary, and explore when and why color of visual mental imagery becomes more prominent. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we find neural evidence for distinguishing black‐and‐white (BW) versus color visualization, and that visual mental imagery becomes increasingly monochrome (vs. colorful) when consumers imagine distant (vs. near) future events. Our neural evidence further suggests construal level as the underlying mechanism of this effect, showing common regions of activation for imagining distant future events, engaging in high‐level construal, and forming BW mental imagery. We discuss the implication of these findings and the benefits of fMRI techniques for marketing in general.

Functional and Structural Changes in Postherpetic Neuralgia Brain Before and Six Months After Pain Relieving.

ObjectiveMultimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to detect whether 6 months after pain relieving, the structural and functional abnormalities in the brain of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) patients are changeable.MethodsFifteen successfully treated PHN patients were enrolled; the brain activity and structural abnormalities were detected and compared before and 6 months after treatment. The functional parameters were evaluated with resting-state functional MRI technique, i.e., the regional homogeneity (ReHo) and fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF). Structural changes were detected with voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI).ResultsSix months after pain relieving, PHN brain showed different ReHo and fALFF values in the frontal lobe, caudate, supramarginal gyrus, anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), cuneus, middle temporal gyrus, and cerebellum. In addition, VBM intensity in the cerebellum increased; DKI values decreased in the thalamus and increased in the temporal lobe after successful treatment.ConclusionSix months after pain relieving, functional and structural changes exist in PHN brain. Changes in some differential areas in PHN brain, such as ACC, frontal lobe, thalamus, and temporal lobe indicate that the central plasticity may be reversible after chronic pain relieving.

The Default Mode Network In Patient with Temporal Lobe Epilepsy (TLE): A Resting State fMRI Study

The default mode network (DMN) is involved in conscious, resting state cognition and is thought to be affected in TLE where seizures cause impairment of consciousness. The study aimed to evaluate the brain activation of the DMN regions in both temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) patients and healthy subjects by using resting-state functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (rsfMRI) technique. A same number of fourteen participants with age and gender matched for the healthy subjects and TLE patients were selected with the average age is 36.9 and 37.0 years old, respectively. The rsfMRI imaging protocol was executed using a 3-T Phillips Achieva MRI scanner at the Radiology Department, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM). For healthy subjects, the brain activation cluster in bilateral superior parietal lobes (SPL),precuneus (PRE), supramarginal gyrus (SMG) and inferior parietal lobes (IPL) were found higher than TLE patients. While for TLE patients displays higher activation clusters in bilateral MFG, STG, and ANG. The result from random effects (RFX) on two-sample t-tests thresholded at p = 0.001 revealed that the TLE patients display significantly higher activations on the bilateral superior frontal gyrus (SFG), left SMG, left middle frontal gyrus (MFG) and right IPL. However for the core-region of DMN such as bilateral precuneus, left MFG, bilateral STG and bilateral IPL were significantly activated but the number of voxels survives are substantially smaller than other regions such as bilateral SFG. The findings suggested that TLE patients may suffer from an impairment in some DMN region, which may cause certain neuropsychological and cognitive degradation.
 
 
 
 Keywords: resting-state fMRI, temporal lobe epilepsy, brain activation, two-sample t-tests

Correcting Task fMRI Signals for Variability in Baseline CBF Improves BOLD-Behavior Relationships: A Feasibility Study in an Aging Model.

Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) functional MRI is a complex neurovascular signal whose magnitude depends on baseline physiological factors such as cerebral blood flow (CBF). Because baseline CBF varies across the brain and is altered with aging, the interpretation of stand-alone aging-related BOLD changes can be misleading. The primary objective of this study was to develop a methodology that combines task fMRI and arterial spin labeling (ASL) techniques to sensitize task-induced BOLD activity by covarying out the baseline physiology (i.e., CBF) in an aging model. We recruited 11 younger and 13 older healthy participants who underwent ASL and an overt language fMRI task (semantic category member generation). We measured in-scanner language performance to investigate the effect of BOLD sensitization on BOLD-behavior relationships. The results demonstrate that our correction approach is effective at enhancing the specificity and sensitivity of the BOLD signal in both groups. In addition, the correction strengthens the statistical association between task BOLD activity and behavioral performance. Although CBF has inherent age dependence, our results show that retaining the age factor within CBF aides in greater sensitization of task fMRI signals. From a cognitive standpoint, compared to young adults, the older participants showed a delayed domain-general language-related task activity possibly due to compromised vessel compliance. Further, assessment of functional evolution of corrected BOLD activity revealed biphasic BOLD dynamics in both groups where BOLD deactivation may reflect greater semantic demand or increased premium on domain general executive functioning in response to task difficulty. Although it was promising to note that the predictability of behavior using the proposed methodology outperforms other methodologies (i.e., no correction and normalization by division), and provides moderate stability and adequate power, further work with a larger cohort and other task designs is necessary to improve the stability of predicting associated behavior. In summary, we recommend correction of task fMRI signals by covarying out baseline CBF especially when comparing groups with different neurovascular properties. Given that ASL and BOLD fMRI are well established and widely employed techniques, our proposed multi-modal methodology can be readily implemented into data processing pipelines to obtain more accurate BOLD activation maps.

Activation patterns of the dorsal medial prefrontal cortex and frontal pole predict individual differences in decision impulsivity.

Intertemporal choice refers to decisions that need to weigh different rewards at different time points in the future. Decision impulsivity manifests in the tendency of choosing smaller immediate options rather than larger later ones. Previous studies have suggested that decision impulsivity in intertemporal decision-making shares similar cognitive and neural mechanisms with risky decision-making. The present study theorizes on and examines whether the activation patterns of the dorsal medial prefrontal cortex (DMPFC) and the frontal pole (FP) during the risk-taking "cups task", as captured in the scanner, can predict the delay discounting rate (k) based on an intertemporal decision task performed outside the scanner. To this end, we scanned with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) techniques a sample of 257 college students (N = 257) while performing the cups task. Univariate analyses showed that activation levels of the DMPFC and the FP were inversely correlated with risk preference, but not with the delay discounting rate k. Multivariate pattern analysis, which can overcome key limitations of the univariate analyses, showed that activation patterns of these two regions predict the delay discounting rate k. These results confirmed the important roles of DMPFC and FP in decision impulsivity and the utility of using multivariate pattern analysis with fMRI data involving decision making tasks.

Neural Bases of Cognitive Impairments in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders: A Mini-Review of Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings.

IntroductionPost-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is often associated with impairments in emotional and cognitive domains. Contrarily to the emotional sphere, neural basis underpinnings to cognitive impairments are still not well known.MethodsWe performed a bibliographic search on PUBMED of all the studies investigating the cognitive impairments in PTSD individuals. We considered only studies that applied cognitive tasks using a functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging technique. The inclusion criteria were met by nine studies.ResultsOverall, PTSD individuals reported significant impairments in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, inferior frontal gyrus, insula, inferior temporal cortex, supplement motor area, and Default Mode Network (DMN). Moreover, abnormal activity was reported in subcortical structures (e.g. hippocampus, amygdala, thalamus) and in the cerebellum.LimitationsCognitive functioning was assessed using different cognitive tasks. Potential confounding factors such as age, sex, symptoms intensity, and comorbidities might have influenced the results.ConclusionSo far, the evidence reported that PTSD is characterized by cognitive impairments in several domains, such as attention, memory and autonomic arousal, which may be due to selective dysfunctions in brain regions that are part of cortical networks, the limbic system and DMN. However, further studies are needed in order to better assess the role of cognitive impairments in PTSD and to develop more targeted therapeutic approaches.

Signal change in BA17, 18 and 19: A comparative study of normal, glaucoma suspects and POAG patients

Magnetic resonance signal change is expected to be different between normal, glaucoma suspect (GS) and Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG) subjects. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technique was employed to investigate the differences. This multiple subject studies were carried out to characterize the percentage of signal change (PSC) in Brodmann Area (BA) 17, 18 and 19 of the visual cortex. The block designed fMRI was implemented. The subjects were requested to focus on the black and white checkerboard stimulus of the visual world (A, B and CD), visual field (EF) and visual area (G). The data were analysed using Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM8) via Matlab platform. results showed that GS subjects have the highest PSC, followed by normal and POAG subjects. However, no significant difference was observed in PSC between BA17, 18 and 19 for normal, GS and POAG groups with p = 0.0869, p = 0.0688 and p = 0.2690, respectively. In conclusion, none of the BA can be suggested to be the most dominant area in responding to the visual stimuli used in this study.

The emergence of dyslexia in the developing brain

Developmental dyslexia, a severe deficit in literacy learning, is a neurodevelopmental learning disorder. Yet, it is not clear whether existing neurobiological accounts of dyslexia capture potential predispositions of the deficit or consequences of reduced reading experience. Here, we longitudinally followed 32 children from preliterate to school age using functional and structural magnetic resonance imaging techniques. Based on standardised and age-normed reading and spelling tests administered at school age, children were classified as 16 dyslexic participants and 16 controls. This longitudinal design allowed us to disentangle possible neurobiological predispositions for developing dyslexia from effects of individual differences in literacy experience. In our sample, the disorder can be predicted already before literacy learning from auditory cortex gyrification and aberrant downstream connectivity within the speech processing system. These results provide evidence for the notion that dyslexia may originate from an atypical maturation of the speech network that precedes literacy instruction.

Exploring memory function in earthquake trauma survivors with resting-state fMRI and machine learning

BackgroundTraumatized earthquake survivors may develop poor memory function. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) and machine learning techniques may one day aid the clinical assessment of individual psychiatric patients. This study aims to use machine learning with Rs-fMRI from the perspectives of neurophysiology and neuroimaging to explore the association between it and the individual memory function of trauma survivors.MethodsRs-fMRI data was acquired for eighty-nine survivors (male (33%), average age (SD):45.18(6.31) years) of Wenchuan earthquakes in 2008 each of whom was screened by experienced psychiatrists based on the clinician-administered post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) scale (CAPS), and their memory function scores were determined by the Wechsler Memory Scale-IV (WMS-IV). We explored which memory function scores were significantly associated with CAPS scores. Using simple multiple kernel learning (MKL), Rs-fMRI was used to predict the memory function scores that were associated with CAPS scores. A support vector machine (SVM) was also used to make classifications in trauma survivors with or without PTSD.ResultsSpatial addition (SA), which is defined by spatial working memory function, was negatively correlated with the total CAPS score (r = − 0.22, P = 0.04). The use of simple MKL allowed quantitative association of SA scores with statistically significant accuracy (correlation = 0.28, P = 0.03; mean squared error = 8.36; P = 0.04). The left middle frontal gyrus and the left precuneus contributed the largest proportion to the simple MKL association frame. The SVM could not make a quantitative classification of diagnosis with statistically significant accuracy.LimitationsThe use of the cross-sectional study design after exposure to an earthquake and the leave-one-out cross-validation (LOOCV) increases the risk of overfitting.ConclusionSpontaneous brain activity of the left middle frontal gyrus and the left precuneus acquired by rs-fMRI may be a brain mechanism of visual working memory that is related to PTSD symptoms. Machine learning may be a useful tool in the identification of brain mechanisms of memory impairment in trauma survivors.

Ultra High Field fMRI of Human Superior Colliculi Activity during Affective Visual Processing

Research on rodents and non-human primates has established the involvement of the superior colliculus in defensive behaviours and visual threat detection. The superior colliculus has been well-studied in humans for its functional roles in saccade and visual processing, but less is known about its involvement in affect. In standard functional MRI studies of the human superior colliculus, it is challenging to discern activity in the superior colliculus from activity in surrounding nuclei such as the periaqueductal gray due to technological and methodological limitations. Employing high-field strength (7 Tesla) fMRI techniques, this study imaged the superior colliculus at high (0.75 mm isotropic) resolution, which enabled isolation of the superior colliculus from other brainstem nuclei. Superior colliculus activation during emotionally aversive image viewing blocks was greater than that during neutral image viewing blocks. These findings suggest that the superior colliculus may play a role in shaping subjective emotional experiences in addition to its visuomotor functions, bridging the gap between affective research on humans and non-human animals.

Resting-state effective connectivity in the motive circuit of methamphetamine users: A case controlled fMRI study

Methamphetamine (MA) and other psychostimulants target the motive circuit of the brain, which is involved in reward, behavioral sensitization, and relapse to drug-seeking/taking behavior. In spite of this fact, the data regarding the effective connectivity (EC) in this circuit among MA users is scarce. The present study aimed to assess resting-state EC in the motive circuit of MA users during abstinence using the fMRI technique. Seventeen MA users after abstinence and 18 normal controls were examined using a 3 T Siemens fMRI scanner. After extracting time series of the motive circuit, EC differences in the motive circuit were analyzed using dynamic causal modeling (DCM). The findings revealed that abstinent MA users had an enhanced EC from the prefrontal cortex (PFC) to the ventral palladium (VP) (PFC→VP) and on the mediodorsal thalamus (MD) self-loop (MD→MD), but they showed a decreased connectivity on the VP self-loop (VP→VP) compared to healthy controls. The findings suggest that abstinent MA users may suffer from a limited pathology in connectivity within the motive circuit involved in reward, behavioral sensitization, and relapse. The enhanced PFC→VP seems to be a compensatory mechanism to control or regulate the subcortical regions involved in reward and behavioral sensitization. Furthermore, the enhanced connectivity on the MD self-loop and the decreased connectivity on the VP self-loop in abstinent MA users may, at least partially, affect the output of the limbic system, which can be seen in the behavioral sensitization and relapse processes. Nonetheless, further investigation in this area is strongly recommended to elucidate the exact mechanisms involved.

The role of MRI in the central nervous system

Introduction. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has modified the practice of radiology. MRI is base on safe interaction between radiowaves at a particular frequency and hydrogen nuclei in the body. Metabolic encephalophaties are by definition those disorder of the central nervous system that are not due primarily to structural abnormalities. Aim. Here we present the 1H MRI and functional MRI (fMRI) method applied to diagnosis of disorders of the central nervous system. Material and methods. Analysis of literature and self-research. Results.We have discussed the major MRI applications in the characteristic of the central nervous system. The relationship beteen the motion of flowing blood and the representation of the blood on images is complex. This work is an introduction to the basic ideas and techniques of fMRI. Therefore, both, 1H MRI and functional MRI, methods are ued in neuroscience. Conclusion. Nonivasive MRI and functional MRI are daily diagnostics methods in neurology.

A review on epileptic foci localization using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging.

Epilepsy is a brain syndrome caused by synchronous abnormal discharge of brain neurons. As an effective treatment for epilepsy, successful surgical resection requires accurate localization of epileptic foci to avoid iatrogenic disability. Previous studies have demonstrated the potential of restingstate functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) technique to localize epileptic foci though clinical applications of rs-fMRI are still at an early stage of development. fMRI data analysis approaches seek pre-defined regressors modeling contributions to the voxel time series, including the BOLD response following neuronal activation. In present study, localization strategies of epileptic foci in rs-fMRI technology were classified and summarized. To begin with, data-driven approaches attempting to determine the intrinsic structure of the data were discussed in detail. Then, as novel fMRI data analysis methods, deconvolution algorithms such as total activation (TA) and blind deconvolution were discussed, which were applied to explore the underlying activity-inducing signal of the BOLD signal. Lastly, effective connectivity approaches such as autocorrelation function method and Pearson correlation coefficient have also been proposed to identify the brain regions driving the generation of seizures within the epileptic network. In the future, fMRI technology can be used as a supplement of intraoperative subdural electrode method or combined with traditional epileptic focus localization technologies, which is one of the most attractive aspect in clinic. It may also play an important role in providing diagnostic information for epilepsy patients.

Topological properties of the resting-state functional network in nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate children after speech rehabilitation.

Speech therapy has been widely used as an essential therapy for compensatory articulation errors in nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate patients. We sought to identify potential biomarkers of nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate children after speech rehabilitation based on resting-state fMRI and graph theory techniques. We scanned 28 nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate and 28 typically developing children for resting-state fMRI on a 3T MRI scanner. Functional networks were constructed, and their topological properties were obtained for assessing between-group differences (two-sample t-tests). Also, language clear degree scale scores were obtained for correlation analysis with the topological features in nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate patients. Significant between-group differences of local properties were detected in brain regions involved in higher-order language and social cognition. There were no significant correlations between topological feature differences and language clear degree scale scores in nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate patients. Graph theory provided valuable insight into the neurobiological mechanisms of speech rehabilitation in nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate patients. The global network features, small-world index, nodal clustering coefficient, and nodal shortest path length may represent potential imaging biomarkers for the estimation of effective speech rehabilitation.

A modality-specific dysfunction of pain processing in schizophrenia.

Clinical observations showed that schizophrenia (SCZ) patients reported little or no pain under various conditions that are commonly associated with intense painful sensations, leading to a higher risk of morbidity and mortality. However, this phenomenon has received little attention and its underlying neural mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we conducted two experiments combining psychophysics, electroencephalography (EEG), and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) techniques to investigate neural mechanisms of pain insensitivity in SCZ patients. Specifically, we adopted a stimulus–response paradigm with brief stimuli of different sensory modalities (i.e., nociceptive, non‐nociceptive somatosensory, and auditory) to test whether pain insensitivity in SCZ patients is supra‐modal or modality‐specific, and used EEG and fMRI techniques to clarify its neural mechanisms. We observed that perceived intensities to nociceptive stimuli were significantly smaller in SCZ patients than healthy controls, whereas perceived intensities to non‐nociceptive somatosensory and auditory stimuli were not significantly different. The behavioral results were confirmed by stimulus‐evoked brain responses sampled by EEG and fMRI techniques, thus verifying the modality‐specific nature of the modulation of nociceptive information processing in SCZ patients. Additionally, significant group differences were observed in the spectral power of alpha oscillations in prestimulus EEG and the seed‐based functional connectivity in resting‐state fMRI (seeds: the thalamus and periaqueductal gray that are key nodes in ascending and descending pain pathways respectively), suggesting a possible contribution of cortical–subcortical dysfunction to the phenomenon. Overall, our study provides insight into the neural mechanisms of pain insensitivity in SCZ and highlights a need for systematic assessments of their pain‐related diseases.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging for chronic pain in patients with rheumatic diseases

Along with tissue damage, inflammation, and degenerative processes, central sensitization (spinal and supraspinal neuronal hyperactivity resulting from continuous nociceptive stimulation) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic pain in rheumatic diseases (RDs). Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) makes it possible to visualize the central nervous system (CNS) parts involved in nociception and to diagnose central sensitization and its associated emotional and cognitive aspects of the experience of pain. Thus, fMRI for rheumatoid arthritis has revealed activation predominantly in the medial pain system, including the anterior cingulate gyrus, prefrontal cortex, and insula — the CNS structures that do not participate in the primary sensory discrimination assessment of pain, but determine its emotional assessment and the formation of pain behavior. The fMRI technique makes it possible to better understand the central mechanisms of chronic pain in RDs, to more accurately select drug and non-drug treatments, and to monitor their efficiency.