Functional magnetic resonance imaging-Its method and applications-

Abstract

Functional MRI of the brain is briefly reviewed. The two methods used in fMRI to capture hemodynamic changes induced by brain activation are described. One is to measure regional CBF change by the inflow signal for a single slice image and the other is to acquire BOLD images where the image contrast is generated by the magnetic susceptibility of red cells containing paramagnetic deoxyhemoglobin. With these types of measurements, many images are taken rapidly in time sequence at a constant image acquisition mode and thus one can follow the brain activation in real time. Various early applications of fMRI to sensory stimulations, motor responses and some of cognitive functions are described and the potentials of fMRI are discussed. The feasibility of fMRI to use in stroke field is high and the merit of the method is expected to be extremely useful in the field.