The R-fMRI Network (RFMRI.ORG):
A network for supporting resting-state fMRI related studies!
All human higher mental functions such as thinking, emotion and consciousness rely on the brain, an extremely complex system 1.
The brain accounts for only 2% of body weight, but receives 11% of cardiac output and consumes 20% of energy 2.
Compared with baseline energy consumption, task-evoked increases are less than 5%. The implication is that intrinsic activity, i.e., during resting-state, comprises important functions 3,4.
Although considered noise in traditional task-based fMRI studies, Biswal and colleagues first reported that spontaneous fluctuations of the resting-state fMRI (R-fMRI) signal were highly structured (See figure above from the 1995 paper) 5.
Since, R-fMRI has emerged as a mainstream imaging modality with myriad applications in basic, translational and clinical neuroscience 3,6-8. Beyond impressive demonstrations of accuracy, reliability and reproducibility for an increasing number of measures of intrinsic brain function 9-13, this approach has gained popularity due to its sensitivity to developmental, aging and pathological processes, e.g., 14-17, ease of data collection in otherwise challenging populations, and amenability to aggregation across studies and sites 18-21.
The R-fMRI Network (rfmri.org) has been designed as a framework to support R-fMRI studies. The R-fMRI Network comprises R-fMRI researchers (the nodes) who are connected by sharing (the edges) with each other. Through the network, we can efficiently share ideas, comments, resources, tools, experiences, data, and our increasing knowledge of the brain. Researchers (nodes) with basic neuroscience, methodological, or clinical backgrounds can connect with each other in the network. We hope the R-fMRI Network will help to enhance collaborations among researchers, especially to translate our knowledge of basic neuroscience and methodology to clinical applications (bench to bedside).
Hope you will enjoy The R-fMRI Network (RFMRI.ORG)!
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