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Updated: Jun 17, 2026
14:27
Identification of Disease-related Spatial Covariance Patterns using Neuroimaging Data
Published on: June 26, 2013
Disease and the brain's dark energy
Dongyang Zhang1, Marcus E Raichle
1Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University, 510 South Kingshighway Boulevard, St Louis, MO 63110, USA.
Nature Reviews. Neurology
|January 9, 2010
Summary
Investigating intrinsic brain activity, which uses significant brain energy, reveals spontaneous blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) fluctuations via functional MRI (fMRI). This research explores its role in brain organization and disease.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Traditional brain studies focus on external stimuli, overlooking intrinsic neuronal signaling.
- Intrinsic neuronal activity accounts for a substantial portion of brain energy expenditure.
- Spontaneous blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) fluctuations in functional MRI (fMRI) reflect intrinsic neuronal activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review strategies for exploring intrinsic neuronal activity.
- To examine alterations in intrinsic activity's functional architecture in neurological and psychiatric diseases.
- To discuss clinical applications of intrinsic activity mapping in neurosurgery.
Main Methods:
- Overview of methodologies for studying intrinsic neuronal activity.
- Analysis of BOLD fMRI data to detect spontaneous fluctuations.
- Review of existing literature on intrinsic activity in disease and clinical settings.
Main Results:
- Intrinsic neuronal signaling is a major component of brain function.
- Functional architecture of intrinsic activity may be altered in various brain disorders.
- Intrinsic activity mapping is a valuable tool for preoperative brain function localization.
Conclusions:
- Intrinsic brain activity, detectable by fMRI, is crucial for understanding brain organization.
- Studying intrinsic activity offers insights into neurological and psychiatric conditions.
- Clinical applications demonstrate the utility of mapping intrinsic functional brain networks.
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