Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a technique used to measure brain activity. It is based on the detection of changes in the amount of oxygen in the blood as well as its flow. Both are found in response to neural activity. When a brain area is more active it consumes more oxygen. In order to meet this increased demand the blood flow to the active area is increased.
FMRI can be used to produce maps of brain activation. These maps show which parts of the brain are involved in a specific process.