Category Archives: Publications

7 Tesla fMRI allows for robust mapping of amygdala responses during multiple runs and sessions.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has come under skepticism from researchers questioning the validity of fMRI findings. The amygdala’s anatomical position makes robust fMRI mapping particularly difficult. Responses in the amygdala during emotional tasks was therefore particularly questioned.

We repeated runs of an emotional task during 7T fMRI and varied task instructions and technical factors.

In our recent Neuroimage publication, we provide important test metrics including reliability and systematic replicability. We conclude that high-resolution fMRI at 7T allows for robust mapping of amygdala activation.
Geissberger NTik MSladky RWoletz M, Schuler AL, Willinger D, Windischberger C. Reproducibility of amygdala activation in facial emotion processing at 7T. Neuroimage. 2020 Jan 26:116585. 2020.

Optimal preprocessing pipeline for fALFF

Resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs‐fMRI) offers the possibility to assess brain function during rest. This absence of explicit stimuli in fMRI makes analyses more susceptible to noise than task‐based fMRI.

Data preprocessing is a critical procedure to minimise artefacts related to motion and physiology.

A paper recently published in Human Brain Mapping evaluates the effects of different preprocessing strategies on the amplitude of low‐frequency fluctuations (ALFFs) and fractional ALFF (fALFF). We give important recommendations and identified preprocessing strategies that have a negative impact.

Woletz MHoffmann ATik M, Sladky R, Lanzenberger R, Robinson S, Windischberger CBeware detrending: Optimal preprocessing pipeline for low-frequency fluctuation analysis. Hum Brain Mapp. 2019 Apr 1;40(5):1571-1582. 2019.

Eyes on the Brain

A new paper on artificial scotoma estimation using population Receptive Field (pRF) mapping has been recently published in Neuroimage by our group.

We were able to correctly estimate small central scotoma (2.35° visual angle) on a single subject basis based on fMRI data.

Investigating effects on the retinotopic map caused by artificial scotoma will help to interpret changes observed in patient populations suffering from macular degeneration and macular holes.


Hummer A, Ritter M, Woletz M, Ledolter A, Tik M, Dumoulin S, Windischberger C. Artificial scotoma estimation based on population receptive field mapping. NeuroImage. 2018