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Enhancement of functional MRI signal at high‐susceptibility regions of brain using simultaneous multiecho multithin‐slice summation imaging technique
Author(s) -
Kim Tae,
Zhao Tiejun,
Bae Kyongtae T.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of magnetic resonance imaging
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.563
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1522-2586
pISSN - 1053-1807
DOI - 10.1002/jmri.25170
Subject(s) - multislice , nuclear magnetic resonance , signal (programming language) , functional magnetic resonance imaging , physics , blood oxygen level dependent , computer science , neuroscience , biology , programming language
Purpose To increase temporal‐signal‐to‐noise ratio (tSNR) and blood oxygen level‐dependent (BOLD) sensitivity at high‐susceptibility regions of the brain by means of a simultaneous multiecho multithin‐slice summation imaging technique. Materials and Methods The simultaneous multislice (SMS) technique was implemented with multiecho (SMSME) and multiecho with thin‐slice summation (SMSME‐thin) at 3T. Multiecho data were summated based on the local apparentT 2 *weighting factor. Ten healthy subjects were studied for the whole brain activation by breath‐holding. The tSNR values and the number of activated pixels acquired with SMSME and SMSME‐thin were compared with those acquired with the conventional gradient‐echo EPI in multiple brain regions Results SMS methods accelerated imaging time by 5‐fold as compared with the conventional method, resulting in the acquisition of three echoes and four thin‐slices during the same TR of 2.5 seconds. At high‐susceptibility regions, including the amygdala, inferior and middle temporal, and anterior frontal lobes, SMSME increased tSNR values by up to ∼80% and BOLD activation by up to ∼20% (paired t ‐test, P < 0.05). SMSME‐thin further increased values as compared with SMSME (∼45% for tSNR and ∼20% for activation, P < 0.05). Conclusion The SMSME‐thin imaging technique enhanced the temporal‐signal‐to‐noise ratio and functional activation at high susceptibility regions of the brain. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:478–485.