fMRI (2024)

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 a3D image showing which parts of the brain are active.