fMRI

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fMRI

Advantages

  • Unlike other scanning techniques (e.g. PET), fMRI does not rely on the use of radiation and is, therefore, safe.
  • Produces images with high spatial resolution, showing detail by the millimetre.
  • Provides a clear picture of how brain activity is localised.

Disadvantages

  • fMRI is expensive compared to other techniques and can only capture a clear image if the person stays still.
  • Poor temporal resolution because of a 5-second lag between initial neural activity and image.
  • May not truly represent moment-to-moment brain activity.

Evaluation

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) detects changes in blood oxygenation and flow that occur due to neural activity in specific brain areas. When a brain area is more active it consumes more oxygen and blood flow is directed to the active area (haemodynamic response). Produces a 3D image showing which parts of the brain are active.

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