Cited by 821Functional Brain Connectivity StudiesNeural and Behavioral Psychology StudiesNeurobiology of Language and Bilingualism

Inferring mental states from neuroimaging data: from reverse inference to large-scale decoding

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Poldrack, Russell A.·2011·Neuron

Abstract

A common goal of neuroimaging research is to use imaging data to identify the mental processes that are engaged when a subject performs a mental task. The use of reasoning from activation to mental functions, known as "reverse inference," has been previously criticized on the basis that it does not take into account how selectively the area is activated by the mental process in question. In this Perspective, I outline the critique of informal reverse inference and describe a number of new developments that provide the ability to more formally test the predictive power of neuroimaging data.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.neuron.2011.11.001

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  1. Aguirre GK Feinberg TE Farah MJ 2003 Functional imaging in behavioral neurology and cognitive neuropsychology Behavioral Neurology and Cognitive Neuropsychology McGraw-Hill

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Authors
Poldrack, R. A.
Affiliations
The University of Texas at Austin (US)
Corresponding author
Poldrack, Russell A.
Venue
Neuron
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2011-12
Volume
72
Issue
5
Pages
692-697
ISSN
0896-6273 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2162381025
Cited by
821
References
37
Citations by year
2026: 34 · 2025: 51 · 2024: 54 · 2023: 51 · 2022: 75 · 2021: 85 · 2020: 66 · 2019: 73 · 2018: 118 · 2017: 55 · 2016: 37 · 2015: 40 · 2014: 36 · 2013: 29 · 2012: 16
FWCI
13.31
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Neuron (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Science Foundation (OCI-1131441)
  • National Institutes of Health (RO1MH082795)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Functional Brain Connectivity Studies
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neurobiology of Language and Bilingualism
Keywords
reverse inference, mental state inference, brain decoding, selective activation, predictive validity, neuroimaging interpretation
MeSH terms
Brain, Humans, Mental Processes, Neuroimaging

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