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Neuropediatrics 2003; 34(5): 225-233
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-43260
Review Article

Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Pediatrics

M. Wilke 1 , 2 , 3 , S. K. Holland 1 , J. S. Myseros 4 , V. J. Schmithorst 1 , W. S. Ball 1  Jr. 
  • 1Imaging Research Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
  • 2Division of Psychiatry, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
  • 3Department of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Medicine, Children's Hospital, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
  • 4Division of Neurosurgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Further Information

Publication History

Received: October 29, 2002

Accepted after Revision: July 22, 2003

Publication Date:
04 November 2003 (online)

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Abstract

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) allows non-invasive assessment of human brain function in vivo by detecting blood flow differences. In this review, we want to illustrate the background and different aspects of performing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in the pediatric age group. An overview over current and future applications of fMRI will be given, and typical problems, pitfalls, and benefits of doing fMRI in the pediatric age group are discussed. We conclude that fMRI can successfully be applied in children and holds great promise for both research and clinical purposes.

Key words

Functional imaging - language lateralization - surgical planning - brain mapping

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M. D. Marko Wilke

Department of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Medicine, Children's Hospital, University of Tübingen

Hoppe‐Seyler-Straße 3

72076 Tübingen

Germany

Email: Marko.Wilke@med.uni-tuebingen.de