In which of the following ways does functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) detect the functioning of the brain?
A)It exploits changes in blood oxygen that occur in association with brain activity.
B)It measures the amount of glucose in various areas of the brain.
C)It places electrodes on the scalp to detect brain-wave activity.
D)It establishes a cause-effect relationship between variables associated with brain activity.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

fMRI works by detecting changes in blood oxygenation levels in response to neural activity. This is known as the blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal. When a brain region becomes more active, it requires more oxygen to fuel its processes. To meet this increased demand, blood flow to the region increases, delivering more oxygenated blood. The fMRI scanner detects this increase in oxygenated blood, which indicates which brain regions are more active during a given task. Therefore, choice A is the correct answer. Choices B and C are incorrect as fMRI doesn't measure glucose or brain waves respectively. Choice D is also incorrect as fMRI cannot establish a cause-effect relationship.

In Which of the Following Ways Does Functional Magnetic Resonance