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Related Experiment Videos

Searching for a baseline: functional imaging and the resting human brain.

D A Gusnard1, M E Raichle, M E Raichle

  • 1The Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University, St Louis, Missouri 63110, USA.

Nature Reviews. Neuroscience
|October 5, 2001
PubMed
Summary

Functional brain imaging reveals task-independent decreases in brain activity, suggesting a distinct resting brain state. This research explores defining this baseline and its implications for understanding brain function.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cognitive Neuroscience

Background:

  • Functional brain imaging studies often show task-specific increases in brain activity.
  • Simultaneously, task-independent decreases in brain activity are frequently observed, particularly when compared to passive states.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the possibility of a baseline or resting state of brain function.
  • To explore methods for defining such a baseline.
  • To understand the implications of a resting brain state for overall brain function.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of functional brain imaging data from human studies.
  • Comparison of brain activity during specific tasks versus passive states (e.g., fixation, eyes closed).

Main Results:

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  • Observed frequent, task-independent decreases in brain activity during passive states.
  • These decreases suggest a distinct pattern of neural operations during rest.

Conclusions:

  • The findings support the existence of a baseline or resting state of brain function.
  • Further research is needed to define this state and its role in cognition.