Question

The underlying principle of fMRI is that ___________

(a) cerebral blood flow and neuronal activity are not connected

(b) cerebral blood flow and neuronal activity are connected

(c) certain parts of the brain receive more blood

(d) certain parts of the brain are more active than other parts

The question was posed to me in exam.

The query is from FMRI in section Diagnostic Investigation via Imaging Techniques of Clinical Science

Answer 1

Correct answer is (b) cerebral blood flow and neuronal activity are connected

The best I can explain: The body functions with the help of oxygen. The oxygen supply allows glycolysis (the breakdown of the sugar molecules), the first step in generating ATP.  Thus, when the brain has a good amount of oxygen supply, the neurons will work properly. The supply of oxygen may affect the activity levels of neurons. Maybe diseased neurons will show a different pattern of oxygen consumption.  Since oxygen is provided by the blood, thus the researchers came to the conclusion that blood supply and neuronal activity are connected and thus it forms the underlying principle of fMRI.