Simultaneous EEG-fMRI acquisition: how far is it from being a standardized technique?
Simultaneous EEG-fMRI is a powerful tool to study spontaneous and evoked brain activity because of the complementary advantages of the two techniques in terms of temporal and spatial resolution. In recent years, a significant number of scientific works have been published on this subject. However, many technical problems related to the intrinsic incompatibility of EEG and MRI methods are still not fully solved. Furthermore, simultaneous acquisition of EEG and event-related fMRI requires precise synchronization of all devices involved in the experimental setup. Thus, timing issue must be carefully considered in order to avoid significant methodological errors. The aim of the present work is to highlight and discuss some of technical and methodological open issues associated with the combined use of EEG and fMRI. These issues are presented in the context of preliminary data regarding simultaneous acquisition of event-related evoked potentials and BOLD images during a visual odd-ball paradigm.
Garreffa
Girolamo
G
Laboratorio Neurofisiopatologia, IRCCS Fondazione S. Lucia, 00179 ROMA, Italy; Enrico Fermi Center, 00184 Rome, Italy.
Bianciardi
Marta
M
Hagberg
Gisela E
GE
Macaluso
Emiliano
E
Marciani
Maria Grazia
MG
Maraviglia
Bruno
B
Abbafati
Manuel
M
Carnì
Marco
M
Bruni
Ivo
I
Bianchi
Luigi
L
D000328:Adult; D000703:Analog-Digital Conversion; D016477:Artifacts; D001450:Ballistocardiography; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D017352:Echo-Planar Imaging; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods*; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D005074:Evoked Potentials, Visual / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D013677:Medical Laboratory Science; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D013850:Thinking / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology
D010100:Oxygen