FUNCTIONAL MRI

The objective of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is to map active areas of the brain corresponding to specific tasks or stimuli. Interest in fMRI is growing rapidly since it is noninvasive, provides excellent resolution, and can be performed on widely available instrumentation. Therefore, fMRI can be expected to play an increasing role in the neurosciences, as well as clinically in the diagnosis and therapy of brain disorders. This book discuses in detail the principles, methods, and applications of fMRI. Since fMRI is based on the detection of small MR signal changes affected by activation-induced changes in perfusion, metabolism, and blood oxygenation, the bulk of the book is devoted to the clarification of the relation between brain physiology and MR signal. Also applivations in the neurosciences and the emerging clinical use fMRI are discussed. The promising synergistic use of fMRI and other functional brain imaging modalities is explored; such approaches may lead to new insights into the working of the brain. 1700 gr.…