Searching for a baseline: functional imaging and the resting human brain

Nat Rev Neurosci. 2001 Oct;2(10):685-94. doi: 10.1038/35094500.

Abstract

Functional brain imaging in humans has revealed task-specific increases in brain activity that are associated with various mental activities. In the same studies, mysterious, task-independent decreases have also frequently been encountered, especially when the tasks of interest have been compared with a passive state, such as simple fixation or eyes closed. These decreases have raised the possibility that there might be a baseline or resting state of brain function involving a specific set of mental operations. We explore this possibility, including the manner in which we might define a baseline and the implications of such a baseline for our understanding of brain function.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Brain / anatomy & histology
  • Brain / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain / physiology*
  • Brain Mapping / methods*
  • Cerebrovascular Circulation / physiology
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Mental Processes / physiology
  • Models, Neurological
  • Oxygen Consumption
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed