Mudassar Kamranᵃ, Carl D. Hackerᵇ, Monica G. Allenᵃᶜ, Timothy J. Mitchellᵃᶜ, Eric C. Leuthardtᶜ, Abraham Z. Snyderᵃᵈ, and Joshua S. Shimonyᵃ

Mudassar Kamran: kamranm@mir.wustl.edu; Carl D. Hacker: hackerc@wusm.wustl.edu; Monica G. Allen: allenm@npg.wustl.edu; Timothy J. Mitchell: mitchell@physics.wustl.edu; Eric C. Leuthardt: leuthardte@wudosis.wustl.edu; Abraham Z. Snyder: avi@npg.wustl.edu

ᵃMallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, 4525 Scott Ave., Saint Louis, MO 63110 USA, Tel: 314-362-5949

ᵇMedical Student Training Program, Washington University School of Medicine, 4525 Scott Ave., Saint Louis, MO 63110 USA, Tel: 314-362-5949

ᶜDepartment of Neurological Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, 4525 Scott Ave., Saint Louis, MO 63110 USA, Tel: 314-362-5949

ᵈDepartment of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, 4525 Scott Ave., Saint Louis, MO 63110 USA, Tel: 314-362-5949

SYNOPSIS

Resting state functional MRI (rsfMRI) measures spontaneous fluctuations in the BOLD signal and can be used to elucidate the brain’s functional organization. It can be used to simultaneously assess multiple distributed resting state networks. Unlike task fMRI, rsfMRI does not require task performance and thus can be performed in any subject that can obtain an MRI scan. In this article we present a brief introduction of rsfMRI processing methods followed by a detailed discussion on the use of rsfMRI in pre-surgical planning. Example cases are provided to highlight the strengths and limitations of the technique.