Introduction to Research in Magnetic Resonance Imaging

The advent of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of the brain has changed forever conventional patient diagnosis and treatment in medicine. Instead of employing invasive procedures, now physicians can not just literally see internal body structures but also understand and map more clearly brain functions related to specific tasks, feelings, and behaviors. This paper aims at introducing the acquisition process, image processing, analysis and evaluation, and the most popular tools for both structural MRI and fMRI. It is an opportunity for students and researchers who are interested in getting started in the area, understanding what are the challenges and unexplored fields, and how to avoid the most common traps and pitfalls.