Toronto Western Hospital Functional Brain Imaging Center

Toronto Western Reseach Institute

University Health Network

Toronto, ON, Canada

 FMRI Team

The recent discovery that MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) can be used to map changes in brain hemodynamics corresponding to mental operations extends traditional anatomical imaging to include maps of human brain function. Defining the relationship between brain structure and function is achieved through application of fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging). This method depends on the tight coupling between blood oxygen levels and neuronal activity. fMRI produces high resolution maps of brain activity through detection of local changes in blood oxygen levels induced by task related neural activity.  The ability to map brain function opens an array of new opportunities for advancing our understanding of brain organization. From a clinical perspective, fMRI is being used for pre- surgical planning in patients undergoing neurosurgical procedures.

The primary goal of the Toronto Western Hospital Functional Brain Imaging Center has been to promote translational research in fMRI, i.e. to develop tools that have a direct clinical impact on patients.