Optimal Design for Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Experiments: Methodology, Challenges, and Future Perspectives

This paper provides an overview of optimal design for functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies. We present the main types of fMRI designs, namely blocked and event-related designs, and common objectives of fMRI experiments, for example, localization of task-related activity in the human brain. Furthermore, we present an introduction into the methodology for analysis and optimization of fMRI experiments, for instance common analysis models and applied optimality criteria. We outline some of the problems encountered when optimizing fMRI experiments, for example, the temporal autocorrelation between measurements in fMRI data. The most important results for optimization of blocked and event-related designs with regard to the different design objectives are presented and explained. Finally, we conclude with future perspectives and challenges for optimization of fMRI experiments.