Continuous arterial spin labeling perfusion measurements using single shot 3D GRASE at 3 T.
Single shot 3D GRASE is less sensitive to field inhomogeneity and susceptibility effects than gradient echo based fast imaging sequences while preserving the acquisition speed. In this study, a continuous arterial spin labeling (CASL) pulse was added prior to the single shot 3D GRASE readout and quantitative perfusion measurements were carried out at 3 T, at rest and during functional activation. The sequence performance was evaluated by comparison with a CASL sequence with EPI readout. It is shown that perfusion measurements using CASL GRASE can be performed safely on humans at 3 T without exceeding the current RF power deposition limits. The maps of resting cerebral blood flow generated from the GRASE images are comparable to those obtained with the 2D EPI readout, albeit with better coverage in the orbitofrontal cortex. The sequence proved effective for functional imaging, yielding time series of images with improved temporal SNR with respect to EPI and group activation maps with increased significance levels. The method was further improved using parallel imaging techniques to provide increased spatial resolution and better separation of the gray-white matter cerebral blood flow maps.
Fernández-Seara
María A
MA
Center for Functional Neuroimaging, Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.
Wang
Ze
Z
Wang
Jiongjiong
J
Rao
Heng-Yi
HY
Guenther
Matthias
M
Feinberg
David A
DA
Detre
John A
JA
D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D001931:Brain Mapping / Q000379:methods*; D002536:Cerebral Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D017352:Echo-Planar Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005074:Evoked Potentials, Visual / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013113:Spin Labels; D014793:Visual Cortex / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000502:physiology*
D013113:Spin Labels