Functional magnetic resonance imaging in psychiatry: where are we now and where are we going?

doi:10.1017/CBO9780511550072.009

8 - Functional magnetic resonance imaging in psychiatry: where are we now and where are we going?

from Part VI - Imaging the normal and abnormal mind

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 19 January 2010

Ed Bullmore

Edited by

Maria A. Ron and

Trevor W. Robbins

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Ed Bullmore: Affiliation:
University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
Maria A. Ron: Affiliation:
Institute of Neurology, London
Trevor W. Robbins: Affiliation:
University of Cambridge

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Summary

Introduction

As a technique for measuring changes in oxygenated cerebral blood flow related to local neuronal activity, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is approximately 10 years old. As an instrument of psychiatric research, it is even younger – perhaps 7 years old by the time this book is published.

Already it is clear that fMRI has some outstanding technical advantages compared with previously available methods for functional neuro-imaging, such as positronand single photon-emission tomography (PET and SPET). (For a general introduction to fMRI physics, experimental design and data analysis, see review articles by Bullmore and Suckling (2000, 2001).) First and foremost, it is remarkably safe. There is no requirement for exposure to ionizing radiation or radioisotopes and, at static magnetic field strengths of 3 tesla or less, the only significant health and safety risks are posed by the loud acoustic noise of most scanners (subjects must wear ear-protectors) and by deposition of radiofrequency energy (which limits scanning time in a single session to 45 minutes in some centres). This degree of safety considerably relieves any ethical concerns about scanning patients and usefully favours study designs entailing multiple repeated measures on each subject. The second major advantage of fMRI is that it has superior spatial resolution (in the order of mm) and temporal resolution (in the order of s) compared with any single alternative modality for investigation of living human brain function.

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Type: Chapter
Information: Disorders of Brain and Mind , pp. 171 - 180

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511550072.009 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2003

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