Functional MRI (fMRI)


This test measures brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow when a child performs tasks or responds to stimuli.

• Why it matters: Shows which parts of the brain are active during movement, speech, or emotion.

• In children: Used in research and diagnosis of autism, ADHD, and traumatic brain injuries.

• Statistic: fMRI research has shown that children with ADHD have up to 25% reduced activation in brain regions linked to attention and impulse control (NIH, 2024).

• What families should know: The test is safe and helps personalize therapy and learning strategies.


References:

National Institutes of Health. (2024). Functional MRI and Pediatric Brain Research.

Harvard Medical School. (2023). Advances in Brain Mapping.