Organization for Human Brain Mapping (OHBM) acknowledges his important contribution to laminar functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
With the rise of ultra-high field MRI, scientists can now explore the human brain at sub-millimeter resolution, opening new possibilities for studying how different layers of the cortex process information. This approach is known as laminar fMRI. However, complex blood flow patterns can distort these signals, making accurate and reproducible analysis a known challenge.
To address this, team member and postdoctoral researcher Denis Chaimow conducted the first pre-registered replication study in laminar fMRI. Replication studies repeat a previously published study and examine whether the results can be confirmed again under comparable conditions.
He revisited a landmark study by Emily S. Finn (Yale University), which suggested that different cortical layers are involved in working memory and motor responses. Using an automated and transparent analysis pipeline, he and the team confirmed some of the original findings but also uncovered key differences, while highlighting the need for rigorous methods in this research field.
This work sets a new standard for transparency and reproducibility in neuroimaging and strengthens the role of laminar fMRI in understanding human cognition.
About the Organization for Human Brain Mapping (OHBM)
The Organization for Human Brain Mapping (OHBM) is an international society dedicated to advancing the understanding of the human brain’s structure and function through neuroimaging. Founded in 1995, OHBM brings together researchers from around the world to share cutting-edge methods in brain mapping.
Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics
