Multiline balanced SSFP for rapid functional imaging at ultrahigh field

Purpose The goal of this study is to develop and evaluate a multiline balanced steady‐state free‐precession (bSSFP) sequence for passband functional MRI at ultrahigh field. Methods Passband bSSFP functional MRI experiments using a visual task were performed on a 9.4 T system with echo trains ranging from one up to seven echoes. We analyze the acquisition efficiency, temporal and thermal signal‐to‐noise ratio, as well as the observed blood oxygen–level‐dependent (BOLD) signal changes. Results With increasing repetition time and echo train length, the BOLD‐related signal change as well as the thermal and temporal noise were improved. Activation patterns and signal changes were stable and reproducible across subjects. Conclusions We propose a multiline bSSFP for functional BOLD imaging that approaches the speed of echo‐planar imaging and that shows an increased BOLD sensitivity compared with single‐line bSSFP. Magn Reson Med 79:994–1000, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.