Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)

GLOSSARY

A measure of brain health and activity that detects local increases in relative blood oxygenation that are most probably an indirect consequence of neurotransmitter action and thus reflect local neuronal signalling. Compared to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which focuses on providing structural images of the brain, functional MRI (fMRI) depicts dynamic brain activity. The activity is reflected in changes in the ratio of blood oxygen level in the brain, termed Blood Oxygenation Level Dependent (BOLD) activation. Contrast with Electroencephalography (EEG) and Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG).

A blue and purple flat icon illustration of a medical MRI scanner machine with a monitor.
A blue and purple flat icon illustration of a medical MRI scanner machine with a monitor.

Reference:

Matthews, P. M., & Jezzard, P. (2004). Functional magnetic resonance imaging. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, 75(1), 6-12. PMID: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14707297/

Ogawa, S., Menon, R. S., Kim, S. G., & Ugurbil, K. (1998). On the characteristics of functional magnetic resonance imaging of the brain. Annual Review of Biophysics and Biomolecular Structure, 27(1), 447-474. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.biophys.27.1.447