We present a Hidden Markov Model (HMM) for inferring the hidden psychological state (or neural activity) during single trial fMRI activation experiments with blocked task paradigms. Inference is based on Bayesian methodology, using a combination of analytical and a variety of Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) sampling techniques. The advantage of this method is that detection of short time learning effects between repeated trials is possible since inference is based only on single trial experiments.
Advances in Neural Information Processing Systems 12, S.A. Solla, T.K. Leen and K.-R. Müller (eds.), pp. 754-760, MIT Press (2000).