[With-time change of hemodynamics in fMRI: linearity consideration after stimulation ends from stimulation beginning]

The BOLD signal responses that occur after a few seconds at the beginning and the end of stimulus are due to hemodynamic delay. A temporary increase of deoxyhemoglobin just after the beginning of stimulus causes an initial dip in the hemodynamic signal (response). After the initial dip, an increase of BOLD signal causes an overshoot. After the overshoot, a decrease of the BOLD signal due to the end of stimulus causes an undershoot. Many reports have examined the period of stimulus, but only a few have described the period after stimulus. This paper reports on a peak between the overshoot and undershoot. After the end of stimulus, the signal does not simply decrease, but shows a peak after some delay. An activated map showed the same tendency as the hemodynamics signal. This peak was termed hemodynamic over-saturation (HOS). Time control in chronological order is important to obtain a hemodynamic change in chronological order and a large, significant difference between the task and rest signal. The entire hemodynamic signal was evaluated by controlling the timing of the scan using an external trigger and by indicating the beginning of the task (rest) period using sound. The timing of the external trigger and sound are built into the sequence design as a program. From the results of the hemodynamic signal, the causal relationship between this signal and the fluctuation in oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin can be considered.