Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)

In Dr. Vivek's lab using an fMRI is everything. It provides the basis for all research and studies done. Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging is a way for researchers and doctors to to measure brain activity by looking at changes with blood flow. It does this by a scan that maps neural activity by imaging the change in blood flow related to energy use by brain cells. When neurons become active the blood flow increases and oxygen-rich blood replaces oxygen-depleted blood because oxygenated blood is diamagnetic (slightly repelled by a magnetic field) this causes a change in the interference with the MRI process whereas deoxygenated blood is paramagnetic (slightly attracted by a magnetic field). An increase in activity causes deoxygenated blood to decrease thus changing the MR signal of blood slightly.