This review presents the basic principles of functional imaging of the central nervous system utilizing magnetic resonance imaging. The focus is set on visualization of different functional aspects of the brain and related pathologies. Additionally, clinical cases are presented to illustrate the applications of functional imaging techniques in the clinical setting. The relevant physics and physiology of contrast-enhanced and non-contrast-enhanced methods are discussed. The two main functional MR techniques requiring contrast-enhancement are dynamic T1- and T2*-MRI to image perfusion. Based on different pharmacokinetic models of contrast enhancement diagnostic applications for neurology and radio-oncology are discussed. The functional non-contrast enhanced imaging techniques are based on "blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD)-fMRI and arterial spin labeling (ASL) technique. They have gained clinical impact particularly in the fields of psychiatry and neurosurgery.

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