An approach to real-time magnetic resonance imaging for speech production.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has served as a valuable tool for studying static postures in speech production. Now, recent improvements in temporal resolution are making it possible to examine the dynamics of vocal-tract shaping during fluent speech using MRI. The present study uses spiral k-space acquisitions with a low flip-angle gradient echo pulse sequence on a conventional GE Signa 1.5-T CV/i scanner. This strategy allows for acquisition rates of 8-9 images per second and reconstruction rates of 20-24 images per second, making veridical movies of speech production now possible. Segmental durations, positions, and interarticulator timing can all be quantitatively evaluated. Data show clear real-time movements of the lips, tongue, and velum. Sample movies and data analysis strategies are presented.
Narayanan
Shrikanth
S
Departments of Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, and Linguistics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, USA.
Nayak
Krishna
K
Lee
Sungbok
S
Sethy
Abhinav
A
Byrd
Dani
D
D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D006801:Humans; D007830:Larynx / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D008046:Lip / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D010699:Phonation / Q000502:physiology*; D014059:Tongue / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D014705:Verbal Behavior / Q000502:physiology