MRIactiviteit

MRIactiviteit, or functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), is a neuroimaging technique that measures brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow. When a specific area of the brain becomes more active, it requires more oxygen. The fMRI scanner detects the increase in blood oxygenation in that region, which is an indirect measure of neural activity. This allows researchers and clinicians to observe which parts of the brain are engaged during various cognitive tasks, emotional states, or in response to stimuli.

The principle behind fMRI relies on the BOLD (Blood-Oxygen-Level-Dependent) contrast. Oxygenated hemoglobin and deoxygenated hemoglobin have different magnetic properties. As active brain areas consume more oxygen, the ratio of oxygenated to deoxygenated hemoglobin changes, altering the magnetic signal that the fMRI scanner can detect. This signal change, though small, can be mapped spatially, providing a dynamic picture of brain function over time.

fMRI has revolutionized the study of the human brain, offering a non-invasive way to understand brain-behavior relationships. It is widely used in neuroscience research to investigate topics such as memory, language, attention, and emotion. In clinical settings, fMRI can be employed to help plan neurosurgery, diagnose certain neurological conditions, and study the effects of treatment. While fMRI provides valuable insights into brain function, it is important to note that it measures blood flow changes, which are an indirect correlate of neuronal activity.