Whole-brain three-dimensional T2-weighted BOLD functional magnetic resonance imaging at 7 Tesla

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: A new acquisition scheme for T2-weighted spinecho BOLD fMRI is introduced.

Methods: It uses a T2-preparation module to induce bloodoxygenation-level-dependent (BOLD) contrast, followed by a single-shot three-dimensional (3D) fast gradient-echo readout with short echo time (TE). It differs from most spin-echo BOLD sequences in that BOLD contrast is generated before the readout, which eliminates the "dead time" due to long TE required for T2 contrast, and substantially improves acquisition efficiency. This approach, termed "3D T2prep-GRE," was implemented at 7 Tesla (T) with a typical spatial (2.5 × 2.5 × 2.5 mm3) and temporal (TR = 2.3 s) resolution for functional MRI (fMRI) and whole-brain coverage (55 slices), and compared with the widely used 2D spin-echo EPI sequence.

Results: In fMRI experiments of simultaneous visual/motor activities, 3D T2prep-GRE showed minimal distortion and little signal dropout across the whole brain. Its lower power deposition allowed greater spatial coverage (55 versus 17 slices with identical TR, resolution and power level), temporal SNR (60% higher) and CNR (35% higher) efficiency than 2D spin-echo EPI. It also showed smaller T2 contamination.

Conclusion: This approach is expected to be useful for ultrahigh field fMRI, especially for regions near air cavities. The concept of using T2-preparation to generate BOLD contrast can be combined with many other sequences at any field strength.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1530-1540
Number of pages11
JournalMagnetic resonance in medicine
Volume72
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2014

Keywords

  • Blood-oxygenation-level-dependent
  • Fast gradient echo
  • GRE
  • High field
  • SE BOLD
  • T2 preparation
  • TFE
  • Turbo field echo

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging

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