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The problem of functional localization in the human brain

Nature Reviews Neuroscience volume 3, pages 243–249 (2002)Cite this article

Abstract

Functional imaging gives us increasingly detailed information about the location of brain activity. To use this information, we need a clear conception of the meaning of location data. Here, we review methods for reporting location in functional imaging and discuss the problems that arise from the great variability in brain anatomy between individuals. These problems cause uncertainty in localization, which limits the effective resolution of functional imaging, especially for brain areas involved in higher cognitive function.

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Figure 1: Stages of image processing.
Figure 2: Examples of activation maps superimposed on the subject's structural image.

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Acknowledgements

Many thanks to T. Hackett and M. Petrides for helpful discussions on cytoarchitecture, and to J. Ashburner, S. Baxendale, D. Bor, J. Collins, L. Collins, R. Cools, M. Davis, G. DiGirolamo, J. Duncan, A. Gazanfar, A. Lawrence and T. Marcel for comments on earlier drafts of this paper.

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  1. the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, 15 Chaucer Road, Cambridge, CB2 2EF, UK

    Matthew Brett, Ingrid S. Johnsrude & Adrian M. Owen

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  1. Matthew Brett
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  2. Ingrid S. Johnsrude
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  3. Adrian M. Owen
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Correspondence to Matthew Brett.

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FURTHER INFORMATION

brain imaging: localization of brain functions

brain imaging: observing ongoing neural activity

magnetic resonance imaging

 MIT Encyclopedia of Cognitive Sciences

magnetic resonance imaging

positron emission tomography

 MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit

SPM99

FSL

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Brett, M., Johnsrude, I. & Owen, A. The problem of functional localization in the human brain. Nat Rev Neurosci 3, 243–249 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn756

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