FUNCTIONAL MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING OF THE VISUAL-CORTEX

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows to directly visuali ze regional activity of the visual cortex during stimulation. The valu e of the method to evaluate physiologic and pathologic conditions is e laborated on in comparison with positron emission tomography (PET). As pects as sequence selection and stimulus paradigms are discussed. Subt le activity in the primary cortex (V1), processing areas as MT/V5 and subcortical areas are visualized by MRI. Cooperation of the subjects i s a essential factor. Despite promising initial results in clinical tr ials the focus of research in the visual cortex yet remains in the pre clinical field.