ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Resting State fMRI

Okay kiddo, let me explain what resting state fMRI is. Our brains are always active, even when we are not doing anything in particular. Researchers use a type of scan called fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) to look at the activity in different parts of the brain.

Resting state fMRI is a type of scan where we just sit still with our eyes closed and let our minds wander. During this time, the fMRI machine takes pictures of your brain and shows us which parts of your brain are always working together, even when you are not doing anything in particular.

It's like looking at a map of a city, where we can see which neighborhoods are close to each other and how they are connected. We can use this information to understand how different parts of the brain work together and how they can affect different aspects of our lives, like our emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.

So, resting state fMRI is a type of scan that helps us understand how different parts of the brain are connected and how they work together, even when we are not doing anything in particular.