Interpreting fMRI data
Apr. 17th, 2008 02:08 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
anhinga_anhingaOur thinking about fMRI data is too straightforward.
The abstract below is quite remarkable (my boldface).
****************************************************
(MIT) BCS COLLOQUIUM SERIES, Friday, 18 April 2008 at 4:00 PM.
Aniruddha Das, Center for Neurobiology and Behavior Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons
BCS Auditorium, 46-3002
Entraining to Task Expectation in Primary Visual Cortex.
http://mit.edu/~bcs/newsevents/colloquia.shtml
Abstract:
In functional brain imaging the underlying hФmodynamic signals are assumed to reflect cortical metabolic demand driven by local neuronal responses. To test this assumption we developed a dual-wavelength optical imaging technique that simultaneously measures cerebral blood volume and blood oxygenation, continuously, in alert behaving monkeys. Using this technique, we have discovered a novel cortical blood flow signal that appears to be driven by task timing, independent of local neuronal responses. We see this signal in primary visual cortex (V1) of monkeys engaged in periodic fixation tasks, even in total darkness, with little or no measurable underlying neuronal activity. The entrainment to trial period suggests anticipatory timing in the brain.
Given a predicted event, fresh arterial blood appears to be pumped in, in anticipation of the upcoming event, before any spiking driven by the event. This signal could form part of a preparatory mechanism in the brain that is engaged by any periodic or predictable task. It could be governed by a central timing mechanism and mediated through neuromodulatory control of cortical blood flow, independent of local neuronal spiking and related metabolic demands.
The abstract below is quite remarkable (my boldface).
****************************************************
(MIT) BCS COLLOQUIUM SERIES, Friday, 18 April 2008 at 4:00 PM.
Aniruddha Das, Center for Neurobiology and Behavior Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons
BCS Auditorium, 46-3002
Entraining to Task Expectation in Primary Visual Cortex.
http://mit.edu/~bcs/newsevents/colloquia.shtml
Abstract:
In functional brain imaging the underlying hФmodynamic signals are assumed to reflect cortical metabolic demand driven by local neuronal responses. To test this assumption we developed a dual-wavelength optical imaging technique that simultaneously measures cerebral blood volume and blood oxygenation, continuously, in alert behaving monkeys. Using this technique, we have discovered a novel cortical blood flow signal that appears to be driven by task timing, independent of local neuronal responses. We see this signal in primary visual cortex (V1) of monkeys engaged in periodic fixation tasks, even in total darkness, with little or no measurable underlying neuronal activity. The entrainment to trial period suggests anticipatory timing in the brain.
Given a predicted event, fresh arterial blood appears to be pumped in, in anticipation of the upcoming event, before any spiking driven by the event. This signal could form part of a preparatory mechanism in the brain that is engaged by any periodic or predictable task. It could be governed by a central timing mechanism and mediated through neuromodulatory control of cortical blood flow, independent of local neuronal spiking and related metabolic demands.
