title: Functional magnetic resonance imaging and the brain: A brief review.
abstract: Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is employed in many behavior analysis studies, with blood oxygen level dependent- (BOLD-) contrast imaging being the main method used to generate images. The use of BOLD-contrast imaging in fMRI has been refined over the years, for example, the inclusion of a spin echo pulse and increased magnetic strength were shown to produce better recorded images. Taking careful precautions to control variables during measurement, comparisons between different specimen groups can be illustrated by fMRI imaging using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Differences have been observed in comparisons of active and resting, developing and aging, and defective and damaged brains in various studies. However, cognitive studies using fMRI still face a number of challenges in interpretation that can only be overcome by imaging large numbers of samples. Furthermore, fMRI studies of brain cancer, lesions and other brain pathologies of both humans and animals are still to be explored.
authors.affiliation: Maggie S M Chow, Sharon L Wu, D T Yew, School of Biomedical Science, School of Chinese Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Maggie S M
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Chow
authors.affiliation: Maggie S M Chow, Sharon L Wu, D T Yew, School of Biomedical Science, School of Chinese Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Sharon L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Maggie S M Chow, Sharon L Wu, D T Yew, School of Biomedical Science, School of Chinese Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Sarah E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Webb
authors.affiliation: Maggie S M Chow, Sharon L Wu, D T Yew, School of Biomedical Science, School of Chinese Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Katie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gluskin
authors.affiliation: Maggie S M Chow, Sharon L Wu, D T Yew, School of Biomedical Science, School of Chinese Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: D T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Yew
keywords: Aging; Blood oxygen level dependent imaging; Brain lesions and disease; Drug effects; Functional magnetic resonance image; Humans; Pig and rodent models