Background

Functional MRI (fMRI) is a non-invasive technique for the study of brain function that utilizes changes in blood flow and volume accompanying brain activation. When neuronal activation occurs, local blood flow increases, leading to an increase in oxygenated blood. The different magnetic properties of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood yields signal changes in the MRI images. This effect is termed blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) contrast. Traditionally, BOLD fMRI has been used to investigate brain response to different tasks or stimuli. This has also been translated to a clinical setting, providing a means to map important functional brain areas at risk prior to neurosurgical procedures. Recently, fMRI has also been used to investigate spontaneous brain function in the absence of external stimuli. From these data, inferences can be made regarding the so-called functional connectivity, i.e., how different brain regions are functionally connected. Multiple studies have shown that the brain is divided into a number of densely connected specialized functional networks. These networks are connected to each other, providing functional brain integration. Resting state fMRI is currently a major scientific tool in the study of alterations in functional connectivity following onset or progression of disease. 

Aim

• To develop and maintain a state-of-the-art computing environment for the analysis of task-based and resting state fMRI data.
• To develop novel functional connectivity analysis methods (e.g., data-mining techniques that rely on statistical methods, supervised/unsupervised learning algorithms, classification, clustering and visualization).
• To apply the above mentioned methods to clinically relevant data.

About our Work 

Resting state functional connectivity analysis is employed in several large projects. We are currently involved in the analysis of data from large projects, including Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Alzheimer´s Disease/Mild cognitive impairment and Parkinson´s Disease.

Collaborators

Oskar Hansson, Clinical Memory Research Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Lund University

Pia Maly Sundgren, Department of Diagnostic Radiology Clinical Sciences, Lund University Hospital

Danielle van Westen, Department of Diagnostic Radiology Clinical Sciences, Lund University Hospital

Key References

Ogawa, S., et al. (1990), Oxygenation-sensitive contrast in magnetic resonance image of rodent brain at high magnetic fields, Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, 14 (1): 68–78

Biswal, B. B. (2012), Resting state fMRI: A personal history, Neuroimage, 62(2): 938-944.

For more information about our fMRI research please contact:

Peter Mannfolk, Ph.D.

Medical Physicist, Centre for Medical Imaging and Physiology, Skåne University Hospital, Lund.

e-mail: peter [dot] mannfolk [at] med [dot] lu [dot] se (peter[dot]mannfolk[at]med[dot]lu[dot]se) 

LU research portal profile: Peter Mannfolk