title: Comparison between functional magnetic resonance imaging at 1.5 and 3 Tesla: effect of increased field strength on 4 paradigms used during presurgical work-up.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We sought to evaluate the benefit of 3 T compared with 1.5 T during presurgical functional magnetic resonance imaging.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six participants performed a motor, a visual, and 2 language paradigms both at 1.5 and 3 T. The number of activated voxels, mean t-value, and assessment of language dominancy were compared between both field strengths. Group analysis was performed to evaluate the influence of field strength on the cortical language activation patterns.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The number of activated voxels and mean t-values were significantly higher at 3 T for all paradigms. Using the same statistical threshold, language activation was significantly less lateralized, and more activation zones were depicted at 3 T compared with 1.5 T.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sensitivity associated with visual, motor and language functional magnetic resonance imaging increased significantly at 3 T. Additional cortical areas were depicted during language processing at 3 T. For assessment of language dominancy, usage of more stringent statistical thresholds at 3 T is suggested.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Ghent Institute for functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, GIfMI, Labaratory for Neuropsychology, Neurology Section, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium. ann.tieleman@ugent.be
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tieleman
authors.forename: Pieter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vandemaele
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Seurinck
authors.forename: Karel
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Deblaere
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Achten
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001931:Brain Mapping / Q000379:methods*; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity