ABSTRACT
This review describes functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), the intravital noninvasive dynamic study of the active zones of cerebral structures at the time of their activity, fMR is based on the difference in magnetic properties of oxyhemoglobin--the oxygen carrier, and deoxyhemoglobin--a product produced in the areas of oxygen consumption, the brain parenchyma. This ratio is reflected as the physical phenomenon BOLD (blood oxygenation level dependent) that is a marker of neuronal activity. fMRI has good spatial resolution and the possibility of multiple repetitions of the research. This allows the 3D reconstruction of the sequence of formation and intracerebral "geometry" (stereometry) of newly formed neural ensembles (NE) and/or realization of potentially pre-existing NE. fMRI is an optimal tool for neuronal activity mapping, or more accurate, for functional state of the NE in the reconstruction of neural networks; it should be regarded as the technology for studying the brain of humans and animals, both in terms of natural life activity, and in pathological conditions.
