Buxton RB. Introduction to Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Principles and Techniques, 2nd ed. Cambridge University Press 2009, 470 pages, 62 illustrations, 8 in color, $200.00.
fMRI has become a powerful and widely used neuroscience research tool that is transitioning into an effective clinical tool, but its complexity and multi-disciplinary nature make it difficult to implement by non-specialists. Introduction to Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Principles and Techniques helps bridge this gap by successfully introducing this complicated topic to the uninitiated reader. The book is organized into three distinct parts. Part I focuses on the physiology behind brain activation and introduces the principals behind MRI. Part II delves much more deeply into the physics behind the NMR phenomenon and imaging principles. Part III focuses squarely on fMRI covering both Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL) and Blood Oxygen Level Dependant (BOLD) techniques as well as optimized experimental design, analysis and interpretation. I believe those interested in becoming acquainted with the principles behind MRI and fMRI will find this text quite useful, but for those already familiar with fMRI methodologies a more technical and in-depth text is recommended.
Part I provides a brief overview of the physiology and the principles and techniques of MRI and fMRI. The first chapters introduce the reader to the dynamic process of brain activation and how the different physiological processes of neuronal activation, energy metabolism and hemodynamic response interact with one another. Chapters three, four and five introduce the technical aspects of fMRI beginning with a chapter review the basic concepts of the NMR phenomenon including a brief history and a qualitative description of the underlying physics. This is followed by a review of the hardware and techniques employed to manipulate the NMR signal into an MR image. Part I concludes with a description of the effect of cerebral physiology upon the NMR signal and how this can be exploited to measure the underlying functional activity. Much of the material presented in Part I is repeated and covered in more detail later in the book, and this section somewhat acts as a condensed version of the entire text.
Part II of the book provides an overview of the fundamentals of NMR and MRI, and in my opinion, is the most useful section. It is written in a well organized manner and makes this complicated topic easier to digest than many other texts. The first several chapters introduce the reader to the principles of MRI by reviewing the physics of magnetism and NMR, the roles of relaxation in creating image contrast, and how the diffusion of water affects MR signal. Following chapters discuss some of the technical methods employed in MRI including mapping the MR signal, imaging techniques with an emphasis on fast imaging techniques and how noise and artifacts affect MR image quality. For those without a deep understanding of MRI but wish to understand the concepts behind this field of study I strongly recommend they read this section.
The final part of this book, Part III, focuses on fMRI techniques including perfusion imaging methods and notably BOLD experiments. The first two chapters are dedicated to introducing the principles of perfusion imaging and also demonstrate its clinical applications as well as how it can be used to compliment BOLD experiments. While the last three chapters of this section do a fine job of introducing the BOLD effect and experimental design and analysis, more content in this area is required for a proper fMRI centric book. Perhaps dedicated chapters on statistical analysis, modeling of brain responses or fMRI applications would be warranted.
fMRI is a rapidly developing field of study and as such this updated second edition is welcome as well as necessary. While not all chapters were created equal, overall the figures, tables and legends were appropriate, well made and enhanced the book. Additionally, the references were both current and comprehensive. In recognition to the target audience this book is wisely light on math but through cut-out boxes and a well put together appendix those interested are also exposed to a more comprehensive description. This reviewer specifically enjoyed the appendix due to its excellent description of both the classical and quantum treatments of the physics of NMR. The main weaknesses of the book are the repetitiveness of certain topics which appear in several chapters and the insufficient focus on fMRI and specifically the BOLD effect. With two thirds of the book dedicated to introducing the principals and applications of MRI, this book excels at the difficult task of introducing this difficult and complicated topic to those unfamiliar with MRI technology or capabilities. As such, this book is recommended for this audience. Those with significant experience in fMRI or those with a good foundation in MRI physics would not gain as much from this text and may prefer more advanced selections.
