Neuroactivation studies using functional brain MRI

Functional MRI (fMRI) provides and indirect mapping of cerebral activity, based on the detection of the local blood flow and oxygenation changes following neuronal activity (Blood Oxygenation Level Dependent). fMRI allows us to study noninvasively the normal and pathological aspects of functional cortical organization. Each fMRI study compares two different states of activity. Echo-Planer Imaging is the technique that makes it possible to study the whole brain at a rapid pace. Activation maps are calculated from a statistical analysis of the local signal changes. MRI is now becoming an essential tool in the neurofunctional evaluation of normal volunteers and many neurological patients as well as the reference method to image normal or pathologic functional brain organization