During the last two decades, new developments in functional MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) have made it possible to detect changes in the brain over time, as opposed to the "snapshot" produced by conventional MRI. Essentials of Functional MRI breaks down the technical challenges for physicians, researchers, and technologists who use functional MRI but may not be experts in the necessary math and physics. The author describes the theory and practical details of functional MRI (fMRI) methodology, including how to acquire and analyze images, and a wide range of examples demonstrate how fMRI has been used thus far. The author provides the essential information to study, understand, use, and teach the practical aspects of fMRI for those people who are most likely to extend its use into clinical practice.

"A comprehensive book, combining a strong theoretical background with profound practical hints for the use of fMRI in medical research.... represents a major step forward."
?Massimo Filippi, M.D., Department of Neurology, Scientific Institute HSR, Italy

"I find the book packed with information. It will be useful for both a clinical audience and MR technologists."
?W. Einar Mencl, Ph.D., Director of Neuroimaging Research, Haskins Laboratories and Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut

Table of Contents:

Introduction. Basic Concepts. Source of the MR Signal and Its Properties. The Fundamental Building Blocks of MR Imaging Methods: Spin-Echoes and Gradient-Echoes. Creating an Image from the MR Signal. Principles and Practice of fMRI. fMRI Study Design. fMRI Data Analysis. Clinical Applications of fMRI. Supplementary MRI Methods. Glossary. Appendices.