Functional neuroimaging
Functional neuroimaging is the use of neuroimaging technology to measure an aspect of brain function, often with a view to understanding the relationship between activity in certain brain areas and specific mental functions. It is primarily used as a research tool in cognitive neuroscience, cognitive psychology, neuropsychology, and social neuroscience.
Overview
Common methods of functional neuroimaging include
Positron emission tomography (PET),
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI),
multichannel electroencephalography (EEG),
magnetoencephalography (MEG),
near infrared spectroscopic imaging (NIRSI)
Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)
PET, fMRI and NIRSI can measure localized changes in cerebral blood flow related to neural activity. These changes are referred to as activations. Regions of the brain which are activated when a subject performs a particular task may play a role in the neural computations which contribute to the behaviour. For instance, widespread activation of the occipital lobe is typically seen in tasks which involve visual stimulation (compared with tasks that do not). This part of the brain receives signals from the retina and is believed to play a role in visual perception.