APA Dictionary of Psychology

the use of imaging modalities to relate areas of the brain to their functions by measuring neuronal activity under varying circumstances. For example, individuals may be asked to look at pictures, make up sentences, listen to music, or respond to certain cues while undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging, allowing researchers to identify the brain systems with roles in each activity. Other modalities used for functional neuroimaging include positron emission tomography and transcranial magnetic stimulation. By contrast, structural neuroimaging utilizes magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography to evaluate the brain’s anatomy for injury or disease.