A STAP algorithm approach to fMRI: a simulation study

PURPOSE: To adapt the space-time adaptive processing (STAP) algorithm, previously developed in the field of sensor array processing and applied to radar signal processing, for use in construction of brain activation maps in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: STAP is a two-dimensional filter in which both the spatial and temporal responses are controlled adaptively. It processes space-time data as a complete spatiotemporal set. Unlike presently used fMRI techniques, STAP locates activated regions both spatially and in frequency. RESULTS: Computer simulations incorporating actual MRI noise indicate that STAP exhibits a high degree of accuracy in detecting the small signal intensity changes inherent in fMRI. CONCLUSION: Because STAP processes space-time data as a single data matrix, it exhibits potential over currently available fMRI methods in providing a measure of the full spatiotemporal extent of a task-related activity.