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What is Functional MR Imaging (fMRI) of the Brain?Unlike X-rays, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field to provide clear and detailed pictures of internal organs and tissues. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a relatively new procedure that uses MR imaging to measure the quick, tiny metabolic changes that take place in an active part of the brain. Physicians know the general areas of the brain where speech, sensation, memory, and other functions occur. However, the exact locations vary from individual to individual. Injuries and disease, such as epilepsy or brain tumor, can even cause functions to shift to other parts of the brain. fMRI not only helps specialists look closely at the anatomy of the brain, but can help them determine precisely which part of the brain is handling critical functions such as thought, speech, movement, and sensation. This information can be critical to planning surgery, radiation therapy, treatment for stroke, or other interventions to treat brain disorders. In routine practice, fMRI studies are often used in planning brain surgery, since they can help physicians monitor normal brain function as well as any disturbed brain function. What's the difference between FMRI and fMRI? fMRI is becoming the diagnostic method of choice for learning how a normal, diseased or injured brain is working, as well as for assessing the potential risks of surgery treatment of the brain. The term "Functional MRI" (with a "capital F") can also include other MRI techniques that are sensitive to physiologic changes (such as changes in water motion), whereas "little f" fMRI usually refers to mapping of brain activity using MRI. Click on this link to learn How to prepare for an MRI or fMRI Several special magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques have been developed to evaluate the brain. These techniques may shorten the time required for the test.
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