"fMRI is technically-challenging to perform as the techniques used to visualise cortical activity (most commonly BOLD imaging) rely on minute changes in a low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) environment."
"Block design uses repeated blocks of activity (paradigm) separated by blocks of inactivity or alternative activity. This is by far the most frequently used study design in clinical fMRI."
"Event-related design involves individual events rather than blocks, and can be randomly distributed during the study."
"The activity performed or stimulus received by the patient is termed a paradigm, and each is designed to elicit a specific cortical response. Numerous paradigms have been developed of various complexity. In the clinical setting four paradigms (with modifications according to the clinical situation) suffice for most indications."
Expected headings
"Technical requirements"
"Study design"
"Paradigms"
"clinical practicetypically in presurgical patients aimed at localising eloquent cortex (e.g. speech, motor function)"