fMRI Brain Scans - Strengths and Weaknesses

Question 1

+ Non-invasive / few radiation risks

Answer 1

fMRI can non-invasively record brain signals without risks of radiation inherent in other scanning methods such as CT or PET scans

Question 2

+ High spatial resolution

Answer 2

fMRI has a high spatial resolution - 2-3mm is typical, but resolution can be as good as 1mm

Question 3

• Measures what is required?

Answer 3

There is a dispute over whether or not fMRI actually measures what it claims to measure - e.g. increased levels of oxygen could be in preparation for neural activity, not because of it

Question 4

• Careful interpretation required

Answer 4

• Images produced must be carefully interpreted, since correlation does not imply causality, and brain processes are complex and often non-localised