Introduction: Functional magnetic resonance imaging has emerged as a new diagnostic tool to detect abnormalities in the central auditory system which may be related to cognitive dysfunction. This technique is based on changes in blood oxygenation level detected in the capillaries of brain tissue. According to "brain activation", a local chemical change is observed, and consequently, an image is formed at this point, allowing brain mapping during the exam.

Objectives: A systematic review was made in order to elucidate the use and the clinical applicability of functional magnetic resonance in patients with central auditory processing disorders.

Data Synthesis: Functional magnetic resonance imaging is a useful tool to map brain activity in evincing topographic diagnosis of neural alteration in response to auditory-cognitive tests. Although it doesn´t allow numerical response and there isn´t a known pattern of normality, it can differ active from inactive neural response areas. It is also possible to observe an inter-hemispheric interaction, responsible for attention, initiative and generation of emotions. The mentioned technique can be applied in adults as well as in children, but needs attention and collaboration of the patient, once movement or fatigue can disturb the analysis.

Conclusion: Although it is a new technique, functional magnetic resonance has been shown to be a safe and useful auxiliary diagnostic tool for detecting changes in auditory processing.