FMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging)

• They can evaluate the effects of strokes and which areas of the brain are most active
• They usually take 40-55 minutes
• They measure blood flow in the brain
• Changes in blood oxygenation and flow occur as a result of neural activity in specify parts of the brain
• When part of the brain is more active it consumes more oxygen and to meet this demand, increased blood flow is directed to the area (haemodynamic response)
• During fMRI scans, patients are often given prompts ranging from questions and orders to visual stimuli
• The activity in the brain is then observed, as different activities and prompts will elicit activity in the various parts of the brain
• the fMRI scan allows real-time brain activity observation, but unlike the PET scan, no exposure to radiation is required. This is a significant advantage for the fMRI, as it is healthier for the patient and allows numerous brain scans instead of just one