In which of the following ways does functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) detect the functioning of the brain?

A) It exploits changes in blood oxygen that occur in association with brain activity.
B) It measures the amount of glucose in various areas of the brain.
C) It places electrodes on the scalp to detect brain-wave activity.
D) It establishes a cause-effect relationship between variables associated with brain activity.

Blood Oxygen

A measure of the amount of oxygen carried by the blood, critical for the functioning of vital organs and typically assessed via pulse oximetry or blood gas tests.

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

A brain imaging technique that measures and maps brain activity by detecting changes associated with blood flow.

Brain Activity

The functioning of the brain, involving complex interactions between neurons and neural circuits to process information, regulate bodily functions, and produce behavior.