fMRI

• fMRI (Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

  Measures areas of accumulated oxygenated red blood cells, which are suggestive of activity

  • this activity is aka as the BOLD signal.
• fMRI procedure

  1. Changes in the BOLD signal are monitored while an individual completes a task (takes 40-55 mins)

  2. Because the brain is always active, passive activity is measured to establish a baseline.

  3. Activity while performing a task is then measured.

  4. Passive Activity is subtracted from Functional Activity to produce a 3D activation map
• BOLD signal


  Activity measured by fMRI
• fMRI


  • Produces activation maps: 3D images that show which brain regions become activated during specific tasks
  • Better temporal and spatial resolution than PET scans