Cited by 1,568Advanced MRI Techniques and ApplicationsAdvanced Neuroimaging Techniques and ApplicationsFunctional Brain Connectivity Studies

Interpreting the BOLD Signal

Logothetis, Nikos K., Wandell, Brian A.·2004·Annual Review of Physiology

Abstract

▪ Abstract The development of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has brought together a broad community of scientists interested in measuring the neural basis of the human mind. Because fMRI signals are an indirect measure of neural activity, interpreting these signals to make deductions about the nervous system requires some understanding of the signaling mechanisms. We describe our current understanding of the causal relationships between neural activity and the blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) signal, and we review how these analyses have challenged some basic assumptions that have guided neuroscience. We conclude with a discussion of how to use the BOLD signal to make inferences about the neural signal.

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Registry

Crossref · 10.1146/annurev.physiol.66.082602.092845

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161 of 161 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • The BOLD response does not always track underlying neuronal signaling faithfully and can diverge from activation-driven oxygen metabolism in some regions or conditions.

    “Because the BOLD response depends on local changes in cerebral blood flow, blood volume, and oxygenation, it does not always track underlying neuronal signaling faithfully and can diverge from activation-driven oxygen metabolism in some regions or conditions (Epp et al., 2026; Logothetis & Wandell, 2004; Sirotin & Das, 2009).”

    From 40 Years of diffusion MRI in the brain: From history to emerging frontiers (2026) · cites this paper as Logothetis & Wandell, 2004

  • Gray matter has denser vasculature than white matter.

    “the gray matter is more densely vascularized than the white matter (132).”

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Authors
Logothetis, N. K., & Wandell, B. A.
Affiliations
  • Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics (DE)
  • Stanford University (US)
Venue
Annual Review of Physiology
Published
2004-03-01
Volume
66
Issue
1
Pages
735-769
ISSN
  • 0066-4278 (ISSN-L)
  • 1545-1585
OpenAlex
W2164121465
Cited by
1,568
References
161
Citations by year
2026: 38 · 2025: 51 · 2024: 45 · 2023: 39 · 2022: 52 · 2021: 75 · 2020: 57 · 2019: 51 · 2018: 120 · 2017: 65 · 2016: 81 · 2015: 89 · 2014: 84 · 2013: 88 · 2012: 86
FWCI
11.74
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Annual Review of Physiology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (submittedVersion)
  • MPG.PuRe (Max Planck Society) (submittedVersion)
Funders
National Eye Institute (R01EY003164)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging › Advanced MRI Techniques and Applications
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging › Advanced Neuroimaging Techniques and Applications
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Functional Brain Connectivity Studies
Keywords
BOLD signal, functional MRI, neuronal activity, hemodynamic response, blood oxygenation, signal interpretation
MeSH terms
Animals, Brain, Brain Mapping, Cerebrovascular Circulation, Electrophysiology, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Models, Neurological, Oxygen

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