How accurate is magnetic resonance imaging of brain function?
Since it was introduced a decade ago, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has come to dominate research on the human brain. However, fMRI maps are based on secondary metabolic and hemodynamic events that follow neuronal activity, and not on the electrical activity itself. Therefore, the representation provided by fMRI cannot be assumed a priori to be exact. The accuracy of these maps depends on the spatial extent of the metabolic and hemodynamic changes induced by neuronal activity, and the role played by the vasculature in converting these changes to signals detected by magnetic resonance imaging. Significant progress has been made in both areas, suggesting that it is possible to obtain both spatially accurate and quantitative data on brain function from magnetic resonance methodologies.
Uğurbil
Kâmil
K
Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota Medical School, 2021 Sixth St SE, Minneapolis 55455, USA. kamil@cmrr.umn.edu
Toth
Louis
L
Kim
Dae Shik
DS
D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D017352:Echo-Planar Imaging / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D010100:Oxygen