Recent advances in functional neuroimaging analysis for cognitive neuroscience

Brain Neurosci Adv. 2018 Jan 19:2:2398212817752727. doi: 10.1177/2398212817752727. eCollection 2018 Jan-Dec.

Abstract

Functional magnetic resonance imaging and electro-/magneto-encephalography are some of the main neuroimaging technologies used by cognitive neuroscientists to study how the brain works. However, the methods for analysing the rich spatial and temporal data they provide are constantly evolving, and these new methods in turn allow new scientific questions to be asked about the brain. In this brief review, we highlight a handful of recent analysis developments that promise to further advance our knowledge about the working of the brain. These include (1) multivariate approaches to decoding the content of brain activity, (2) time-varying approaches to characterising states of brain connectivity, (3) neurobiological modelling of neuroimaging data, and (4) standardisation and big data initiatives.

Keywords: Neuroimaging methods; big data; biophysical modelling; dynamic connectivity; electro-/magneto-encephalography analysis; functional magnetic resonance imaging analysis; multivariate pattern analysis; neurobiological modelling; reproducibility; time-varying connectivity.

Publication types

  • Editorial