[MR analysis of brain function]

Abstract

Magnetic resonance (MR) is a remarkably versatile technology applicable to various aspects of medical science. Currently, there are three categories of MR techniques available for probing human brain function in detail. The first category comprises the most widely utilized techniques which make use of the metabolic effects of brain activation, represented by BOLD functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The second category of techniques deals with apparent diffusion tensor in probing the cellular aspects of brain function and is represented by three dimensional anisotropy contrast (3DAC) axonograpy. The third category of techniques is the oldest and as yet the most underutilized. These techniques which include MR spectroscopy (MRS) and spectroscopic imaging (SI), are based on classical nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and are capable of providing biochemical information in vivo. Because of its inherently non-invasive nature, MR technologies are especially important for the field of pediatric neurology and developmental neuroscience.