Event-related fMRI with simultaneous and continuous EEG: Description of the method and initial case report

We report on the initial imaging findings with a new technique for the simu ltaneous and continuous acquisition of functional MRI data and EEG recordin g. Thirty-seven stereotyped interictal epileptiform discharges (spikes) wer e identified on EEG recorded continuously during the fMRI acquisition on a patient with epilepsy. Localization of the BOLD activation associated with the EEG events was consistent with previous findings and EEG source modelin g. The time course of activation was comparable with the physiological hemo dynamic response function (HRF). The new methodology could lead to novel an d important applications in many areas of neuroscience. (C) 2001 Academic P ress.