Simultaneous EEG and fMRI: Recording, Analysis, and Application

Markus Ullsperger · Stefan Debener

May 2010 · Oxford University Press

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One of the major challenges in science is to study and understand the human brain. Numerous methods examining different aspects of brain functions have been developed and employed. To study systemic interactions brain networks in vivo, non-invasive methods such as electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) have been used with great success. However, each of these methods can map only certain, quite selective aspects of brain function while missing others; and the inferences on neuronal processes and information flow are often rather indirect. To overcome these shortcomings of single methods, researchers have attempted to combine methods in order to make optimal use of their advantages while compensating their disadvantages. Hence, it is not surprising that soon after the introduction of fMRI as a neuroimaging method the possibilities of combinations with EEG have been explored. This book is intended to aid researchers who plan to set up a simultaneous EEG-fMRI laboratory and those who are interested in integrating electrophysiological and hemodynamic data. As will be obvious from the different chapters, this is a dynamically developing field in which several approaches are being tested, validated and compared. Currently, there is no one best solution for all problems available, but many promising techniques are emerging. This book shall give a comprehensive overview of these techniques. In addition, it points to open questions and directions for future research.

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Dr. Ullsperger is a researcher at both the Max Planck Institute in Cologne, Germany and the Donders Institute for Brain at Radboud University Nijmegen in The Netherlands. Trained as a physician, Markus Ullsperger decided early in his career to focus on research in cognitive neurosciences. He did his PhD on EEG correlates of inhibitory processes in memory. Since about 2000, he has focused on performance monitoring, cognitive control and flexible, adaptive behavior. To this end, he has made use of fMRI, EEG, genetics and pharmacology in healthy participants and neurological as well as psychiatric patients. Dr. Debener is a Professor and Researcher at the Biomagnetic Center in the Department of Neurology at University Hospital in Jena, Germany. Stefan Debener did his PhD in Psychology on EEG predictors of depression. During his post-doc with Andreas Engel he became interested in neuronal oscillations and single-trial analyses. In 2004 he started a collaboration with the Swartz Center for Computational Neurosciences (UCSD) and since then has been working on the validation and application of independent component analysis, which he has used to advance as different fields as EEG-fMRI integration, the analysis of auditory evoked potentials from cochlear implant users, and multisensory processing. well as research in the field of multisensory processing.