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The functional scout image: Immediate mapping of cortical function at 4 tesla using receiver phase cycling
Author(s) -
Goodyear Bradley G.,
Gati Joseph S.,
Me Ravi S.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
magnetic resonance in medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.696
H-Index - 225
eISSN - 1522-2594
pISSN - 0740-3194
DOI - 10.1002/mrm.1910380204
Subject(s) - scanner , voxel , computer science , signal (programming language) , blood oxygen level dependent , computer vision , artificial intelligence , echo planar imaging , phase (matter) , functional magnetic resonance imaging , physics , magnetic resonance imaging , neuroscience , medicine , psychology , quantum mechanics , radiology , programming language
A rapid method of generating functional scout images to map cortical activity is presented. Maps were produced immediately “on‐line” on the scanner's console using fast low‐angle shot gradient‐recalled echo and echo‐planar imaging sequences without special hardware. To demonstrate the technique, raw data collected during photic stimulation and dark control periods were subtracted through phase alternation of the receiver with constant transmitted radio frequency phase. A blood oxygen level‐dependent signal difference map was produced by magnitude reconstruction of the resulting complex‐difference data. Maps improved in contrast with an increasing number of stimulation‐control cycles and showed similar areas of activation to traditional fMRI processing methods. Such a functional scout procedure allows rapid localization of brain function within the anatomical region of interest. From these functional scout images, slices or voxels may be planned by using the scanner manufacturers prescription tools for further specialized studies.