Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a type of brain scan that uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the brain. fMRI can be used to measure blood flow and oxygen consumption in the brain, which can provide information about brain activity. fMRI is often used in research to study how the brain works in different tasks or conditions, and it has also been used to diagnose neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, and epilepsy.
fMRI works by detecting changes in blood oxygenation level related to neural activity. When neurons are active, they use more oxygen, which increases blood flow and causes an increase in blood oxygenation level. This increase can be detected by fMRI, which produces images showing areas of increased activity. fMRI is noninvasive, meaning it does not require surgery or injection of contrast agents into the body.
fMRI has revolutionized our understanding of the human brain by providing a window into its workings that was previously unavailable. By studying how the brain functions under various conditions, we have gained insights into everything from decision-making to language processing to memory formation. fMRI has also made it possible to diagnose neurological disorders with greater accuracy than ever before.