Is There An fMRI Crisis?

The video explains functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), a tool used in psychology research to create 3D images of the brain without radiation. It details how fMRI detects brain activity through blood flow and the BOLD signal. Challenges like head motion, image alignment, and brain size differences are discussed, along with the importance of statistical analysis to avoid false positives. The video highlights past software errors that inflated false positives and emphasizes the need for data sharing and study replication. It concludes by advising viewers to consider multiple studies for accurate conclusions.

What is one advantage of MRI scanners over X-rays?

• They are cheaper to operate.

• They provide color images.

• They are faster to use.

• They do not expose patients to radioactivity.

What does the BOLD signal in fMRI stand for?

• Blood Oxygen Level Dependent

• Blood Oxygen Level Detection

• Brain Oxygen Level Dependent

• Body Oxygen Level Detection

Why is it important to correct for head motion in fMRI scans?

• To increase the magnetic field strength

• To ensure the images are clear and aligned

• To make the scan faster

• To reduce the cost of the scan

What is a voxel in the context of fMRI?

• A unit of blood flow

• A 3D pixel used in imaging

• A software used for analysis

• A type of brain cell

What was the issue discovered in a 2009 study regarding fMRI analysis?

• The software was too expensive.

• The software detected brain activity in a dead salmon.

• The software could not detect any brain activity.

• The software was too slow.

What was a major concern found in a study about fMRI software packages?

• They required too much data storage.

• They were too difficult to use.

• They were incompatible with new MRI machines.

• They inflated false positive rates.

Why should fMRI data be combined with other research methods?

• To save time in analysis

• To ensure comprehensive understanding

• To reduce the cost of research

• To make the data more colorful