Functional MRI in Radiology-A Personal Review

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Radiology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Functional MRI (fMRI) has seen innovative development within human brain mapping communities since 1995.
• The application of fMRI in clinical settings faces challenges despite methodological advancements.
• A significant gap exists between fundamental brain function research and its translation into reliable clinical biomarkers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a personal review of the historical development of fMRI.
• To discuss the establishment of fMRI research units in German university radiology departments.
• To outline contributions of fMRI in systems neuroscience, clinical neurology, and behavioral psychology.

Main Methods:

• Personal review of historical developments in fMRI.
• Description of the establishment of two fMRI research units in Germany.
• Analysis of fMRI applications in neuroscience and clinical psychology.

Main Results:

• The historical trajectory of fMRI development is presented from a personal perspective.
• Insights into the establishment and growth of fMRI research in German radiology departments are shared.
• Key contributions of fMRI across systems neuroscience, clinical neurology, and behavioral psychology are highlighted.

Conclusions:

• The evolution of fMRI in clinical neuroscience over the past 25 years is contextualized.
• The limited clinical impact of fMRI, despite its potential, is acknowledged.
• The review underscores the ongoing challenge of translating fMRI research into practical clinical decision-making tools.