A milestone in neuroscience research occurred in 1991 with the development of the functional MRI (fMRI) technique. The ability to observe minute localized variations in blood flow related to brain activity was made possible by this non-invasive, reasonably quick, and highly sensitive approach to mapping brain activity. Numerous researchers have refocused their work on this ground-breaking methodology after adopting fMRI as a fresh and effective approach to supplement their ongoing investigations. Written by one of the pioneers in the discipline, this volume in the MIT Press Essential Knowledge series presents an approachable introduction to the history, key ideas, difficulties, and controversies of fMRI.
With the help of his nearly three decades of research, Peter Bandettini covers the fundamentals of fMRI. He discusses different techniques for brain imaging and evaluation, the origins of fMRI contrasts, the fundamental methodology, including hardware requirements and pulse sequences, strategies for designing brain activation experiments, and data and picture processing. A special, stand-alone chapter discusses the main debates in the area and lists 26 obstacles that have influenced fMRI research. The four fundamental pillars of fMRI—technology, technique, interpretation, and applications—are finally outlined by Bandettini. The book can be used as a reference by fMRI scientists of all experience levels and as a guide for those who are only inquisitive but not experts.
