功能核磁共振是目前唯一使用的脑功能成像方式。功能核磁共振并不能直接观测到神经活动，而是间接地观测由神经活动引起的血氧浓度的变化。为了正确理解功能核磁共振的结果，必须深入研究功能核磁共振信号在神经水平的信号源。本文综述了最近这方面的实验研究。

In recent years, cognitive neuroscientists have taken great advantage of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) as a non-invasive method of measuring neuronal activity in the human brain. But what exactly does fMRI tell us? We know that its signals arise from changes in local haemodynamics that, in turn, result from alterations in neuronal activity, but exactly how neuronal activity, haemodynamics and fMRI signals are related is unclear. It has been assumed that the fMRI signal is proportional to the local average neuronal activity, but many factors can influence the relationship between the two. A clearer understanding of how neuronal activity influences the fMRI signal is needed if we are correctly to interpret functional imaging data.

资源网址：http://library.ibp.ac.cn/html/cogsci/NRN-2002-142.pdf
信息来源：NSTL科技热点门户项目-认知科学

前额叶主要负责复杂的认知控制过程。前额叶与高级感觉皮层，高级运动皮层及皮层下众多神经核团都有密切的双向纤维连接，这种网络连接结构决定了前额叶的基本功能。

本文提出了一个理解前额叶功能的理论框架，其基本思想是：前额叶通过维持与当前任务相关的神经活动模式来影响其它区域的神经活动，建立或改变各个区域的协调，从而实现控制。这个理论的特点在于将若干重要的功能(如注意选择，工作记忆)置于统一的框架之中。

资源网址：http://library.ibp.ac.cn/html/cogsci/ARN-2001-167.pdf
信息来源：NSTL科技热点门户项目-认知科学