functional magnetic resonance imaging FMRI

• FMRI

  • changed in both blood + oxygenation + flow that occurs as a result of neural activity in parts of brain
  • brain area more active, consumed more oxygen so blood flow directed to active site (haemodynamic response)
  • produces 3d images (activation maps) showing parts of brain involved in particular mental processes
  • important implications of understanding of localisation of function
• FMRI evaluation

  • S: doesn’t rely on radiation: virtually risk-free, non-invasive + straightforward, produced images with high spatial resolution (detail by the mm) + clearly localising - FMRI safely provides clear picture
  • W: expensive compared to other techniques, poor temporal resolution (5 second time lag behind image on screen + initial firing of neurons activity) - may not represent moment-to-moment brain activity