NeuroLaw: Brain Assessments - 6 - Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

The Brain Assessments microcredential course is offered by the Michigan State University Neuroscience and Law program for students and working professionals with an interest in learning how neuroscience can be applied to their role in the crimimal justice system, whether it be law enforcement, criminal investigation, forensics, social work, or in the courtroom.

This sixth module brings us to functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) which creates a blood-oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal that is based upon the relative amounts of oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin in the blood, i.e. to what degree the blood is oxygenated or deoxygenated, based on their differing magnetic properties. This provides an indication of how active the corresponding brain area is, given that neurons consume oxygen (and glucose) to function, both of which are transported in the bloodstream throughout the brain and body. As compared to electroencephalography (EEG) which is a direct measure of electrical brain activity, fMRI is a more indirect measure that is based upon oxygen consumption by active neurons in that area of the brain. We then talk about how to interpret the results of EEG and fMRI data analysis both in terms of what these methods can and cannot do, with an emphasis on the limitations of fMRI and the fMRI analysis.

All this and more in the hour and a half fMRI module of the Brain Assessments microcredential course for NeuroLaw.