EEG–fMRI Information Fusion: Biophysics and Data Analysis

The simultaneous recording and analysis of electroencephalography (EEG) and functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging data (fMRI) data have received substantial attention. The noninvasive and complementary nature of these modalities have motivated an increasing number of laboratories using simultaneous EEG–fMRI aiming to achieve both high temporal and spatial resolution of human brain function in vivo. However, despite continuous improvements, it remains a challenging technique. Recent developments in technical and algorithmic instrumentation have shifted the main rate-limiting factor in joint EEG–fMRI studies from data acquisition, to analytic and methodological aspects. A clear understanding of the neurophysiological factors linking these two types of observations remains elusive and a standard methodology for EEG–fMRI data integration is yet to be stablished. In this chapter, we provide an overview of the common approaches specifically employed for the integration of EEG and fMRI and highlight some of the most important outstanding challenges in this area.