Difference Between MRI and fMRI

MRI vs fMRI

Currently, in the advent of technological advancements, a number of different types of innovations are invented and modified to make the diagnosis of common and even rare diseases a lot easier. These diagnostic tools make use of either machines or biologic studies, and in some cases both. One of the most common ways to diagnose internal diseases not seen by the naked eye is through imaging. In the laboratory, different types of sources are used to make the imaging possible. Radiation, electricity, and magnetic fields are only some to name a few. One type of imaging device that utilizes the magnetic and electrical sources of energy is what we call the MRI. Through some modifications in technological aspects, a sister machine was created out of the MRI and was called an fMRI. The differences between the two machines are hereby noted.

Magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, is a machine used for brain structure imaging. When in some cases a CT scan cannot detect the existing problem, an MRI is helpful for discovering unnoticed anatomical anomalies caused by a disease process or traumatic event. It is a utility used for grand research in determining structural differences and a behavior correlation. On the other hand, functional magnetic resonance imaging, or fMRI, is a one of the highlights of the MRI technology wherein it functions through blood flow or blood oxygen level measurements to achieve the brain’s functional image. It is primarily used to gather relevant data as to the consumption of oxygen by the tissues. Through its modernization, fMRI sequences will view a picture of the brain’s active region by picking up the excess blood supply called Blood Oxygen Level Dependence (BOLD). In general, an MRI and fMRI differ from each other in a way that an MRI views the anatomical structure while an fMRI views the metabolic function.

In addition, the measurement of signals is different for an MRI and an fMRI individually. An MRI studies the water molecule’s hydrogen nuclei whereas an fMRI calculates the levels of oxygen. In atomic physics, the MRI’s structural imaging views at a high resolution the difference between tissue types with respect to space. On the other hand, an fMRI’s functional imaging views the tissue differences with respect to time. In addition to this, an MRI has a high, spatial resolution while an fMRI has a long-distance, superior, temporal resolution.

When talking about its technological advancement, an fMRI is still starting to build up its name unlike the MRI wherein it is already at its peak as one of the widely used equipment technologies in the medical world. Moreover, the fMRI is yet to be introduced for diagnostic purposes and is only used in experiments unlike the revolutionary MRI.

In terms of the cost in buying the machine, the fMRI is considered to be more expensive than an MRI because of the additional software and hardware required for it. The price may reach up to hundreds of thousands to millions, and that is quite a lot of money. For a cheaper choice, the MRI is preferred.

To make things clear, neither an MRI nor an fMRI has an advantage over the other because both machines serve for different functions.

Summary:

1.The MRI and fMRI differ from each other in a way that the MRI views the anatomical structure while the fMRI views the metabolic function.

2.An MRI studies the water molecule’s hydrogen nuclei whereas an fMRI calculates the levels of oxygen.

3.An MRI’s structural imaging views at a high resolution the differences between tissue types with respect to space. On the other hand, an fMRI’s functional imaging views the tissue differences with respect to time.

4.The MRI has a high, spatial resolution while an fMRI has a long-distance, superior, temporal resolution.

5.When talking about its technological advancements, the fMRI is still starting to build up its name unlike the MRI wherein it is already at its peak as one of the widely used equipment technologies in the medical world.

6.The fMRI is yet to be introduced for diagnostic purposes and is only used in experiments unlike the revolutionary MRI.

7.The fMRI is considered to be more expensive than the MRI because of the additional software and hardware required for it.

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