Real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging: methods and applications.
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has been limited by time-consuming data analysis and a low signal-to-noise ratio, impeding online analysis. Recent advances in acquisition techniques, computational power and algorithms increased the sensitivity and speed of fMRI significantly, making real-time analysis and display of fMRI data feasible. So far, most reports have focused on the technical aspects of real-time fMRI (rtfMRI). Here, we provide an overview of the different major areas of applications that became possible with rtfMRI: online analysis of single-subject data provides immediate quality assurance and functional localizers guiding the main fMRI experiment or surgical interventions. In teaching, rtfMRI naturally combines all essential parts of a neuroimaging experiment, such as experimental design, data acquisition and analysis, while adding a high level of interactivity. Thus, the learning of essential knowledge required to conduct functional imaging experiments is facilitated. rtfMRI allows for brain-computer interfaces (BCI) with a high spatial and temporal resolution and whole-brain coverage. Recent studies have shown that such BCI can be used to provide online feedback of the blood-oxygen-level-dependent signal and to learn the self-regulation of local brain activity. Preliminary evidence suggests that this local self-regulation can be used as a new paradigm in cognitive neuroscience to study brain plasticity and the functional relevance of brain areas, even being potentially applicable for psychophysiological treatment.
Weiskopf
Nikolaus
N
Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging, Institute of Neurology, University College London, WC1N 3BG London, UK. n.weiskopf@fil.ion.ucl.ac.uk
Sitaram
Ranganatha
R
Josephs
Oliver
O
Veit
Ralf
R
Scharnowski
Frank
F
Goebel
Rainer
R
Birbaumer
Niels
N
Deichmann
Ralf
R
Mathiak
Klaus
K
D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D001931:Brain Mapping / Q000379:methods; D003071:Cognition; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D011786:Quality Control; D012107:Research Design; D012984:Software; D013997:Time Factors