Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in typical and atypical brain development: Challenges and suggestions

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) plays a vital role in advancing our understanding of typical and atypical brain development. This chapter summarizes the basics of fMRI technology, current findings on brain development, and the role of fMRI in this work. Progress in this field can be hampered by scanning requirements, as successful image acquisition requires participants to remain still and tolerate the noise and confinement of the fMRI scanner bore. The common cognitive, emotional, and behavioral challenges associated with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) compound acquisition difficulties, especially for those with a comorbid intellectual disability, or those 6years and younger. The current chapter documents these associated challenges, strategies used to tackle these challenges, and provides suggestions for taking important steps towards standardizing processes in future work.