What is functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)?
- fMRI is a functional neuroimaging procedure using MRI technology.
- It measures brain activity by detecting changes associated with blood flow.
- This technique relies on the fact that neuronal activation and cerebral blood flow are coupled together.
- When an area of the brain is in use, blood flow to that region also increases.
- The primary form of fMRI uses blood-oxygen-level dependent (BOLD) contrast.
- This is a type of specialized brain and body scan used to map neural activity in the brain or spinal cord of humans or other animals.
- It is mapped by imaging the change in hemodynamic response (blood flow) related to energy use by brain cells.