fMRI data acquisition
FTT
EVENTS, PAD
fMRI delivers functional data (i.e., for example functional connectivity) of the brain’s activity. Functional connectivity is defined as statistical dependency between spatially separated cerebral events. It is based on temporal correlation of low frequency fluctuations of BOLD-signal between spatially separated brain regions in task-related or resting-state fMRIMRI data were acquired twice—before and after the experimental phase—of each participant using a 3T MR scanner (AG Prisma 3, Siemens, Erlangen, Germany) and a standard quadrature 64-channel phased array head coil.We obtained high-resolution T1-weighted structural images by axial 3-dimensional Magnetization Prepared RApid Gradient Echo sequence (MP-RAGE, for the parameters of the MP-RAGE sequence see The order of MRI sequences during data acquisition was: (1) Scout, (2) rs fMRI, (3) stim fMRI, (4) MP-RAGE T1.During resting-state data acquisition, the subjects were instructed to lie still, close their eyes and to stay awake. During the task-related data acquisition the participants performed a Motor Sequence Task (MST)—also called Finger Tapping Task (FTT): Whilst in the MRI and during the task-related data-acquisition the participants were presented with a constant sequence of numbers through a mirror-monitor-combination (4, 1, 3, 2, 4). This numbers represented 4 fingers on the left hand which rested on an input pad with 4 buttons. The thumb was not included. Pressing these buttons as fast and correct as possible was the goal of this experiment. The active number was indicated. The active number only moved forward if correctly entered. The task lasted 12 min, consisting of 12 blocks each containing 30 s of activity and 30 s of rest. Numbers were only presented during activity.