An application of functional magnetic resonance in medicine : optimization of fMRI and rsfMRI studies

Abstract

Novel functional magnetic resonance techniques based on variation of the blood-oxygenated-level-dependent (BOLD) signal during the performance of a task or in response to a stimulus (fMRI) as well as at the rest (rsfMRI) are compared. These techniques play a significant role in the investigation of functional architecture of the brain. There is a good overlap between the areas of fMRI activation elicited by motor, language, visual or other task studies and the corresponding rsfMRI networks (RSNs). Progress in statistical approaches for processing is presented particularly for rsfMRI data. Both fMRI techniques as completely non-invasive can be successfully used in medical diagnostics and neurosurgery. In recent years, research has focused on the rsfMRI technique since it represents a promising and cost-effective alternative to task-based fMRI for scientific needs as well as for medical applications.