fMRI
Medical abbreviation · Medical Imaging
| Stands for | Functional magnetic resonance imaging |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
fMRI stands for Functional magnetic resonance imaging, a medical imaging abbreviation also used in science.
MRI method that maps brain activity by detecting changes in blood oxygenation, the BOLD (blood-oxygen-level-dependent) signal, while a person performs tasks or rests. Clinically it helps surgeons locate language and motor areas before removing tumors or epilepsy foci, and it is a major neuroscience research tool.
Example: Pre-op fMRI places language activation 1 cm from the tumor margin.
Usage notes
The BOLD effect was described by Seiji Ogawa in 1990. The signal tracks blood flow changes that lag neural activity by a few seconds, so fMRI locates activity well in space but poorly in time. Findings from small research samples have faced reproducibility criticism, and fMRI cannot read thoughts or reliably detect lies.
Related abbreviations
More medical imaging abbreviations
- DSA – Digital subtraction angiography
- DWI – Diffusion-weighted imaging
- DXA – Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry
- FDG – Fluorodeoxyglucose (F-18)
- FLAIR – Fluid-attenuated inversion recovery
- Fluoro – Fluoroscopy
- GBCA – Gadolinium-based contrast agent
- HRCT – High-resolution computed tomography
- HSG – Hysterosalpingogram
- HU – Hounsfield unit
- IVP – Intravenous pyelogram
- Lat – Lateral
See all 58 medical imaging abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.