fMRI (Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

Definition

A neuroimaging procedure using MRI technology that measures brain activity by detecting changes associated with blood flow.

Analogy

Think of an fMRI like a live traffic report. Just as the report shows where cars are moving and where traffic is heavy, an fMRI shows which parts of your brain are active when you're doing certain tasks.

Related terms

BOLD Signal: This stands for Blood Oxygen Level Dependent signal. It's what the fMRI measures to see brain activity.

Neuroimaging: The use of various techniques to either directly or indirectly image the structure, function, or pharmacology of the nervous system. It’s a central aspect of neuroscience and psychology.

Cognitive Neuroscience: A branch of neuroscience that studies how cognitive functions are produced by neural circuits in the brain. Scientists in this field often use tools like fMRIs to study the brain.