title: Multiband multislice GE-EPI at 7 tesla, with 16-fold acceleration using partial parallel imaging with application to high spatial and temporal whole-brain fMRI.
abstract: Parallel imaging in the form of multiband radiofrequency excitation, together with reduced k-space coverage in the phase-encode direction, was applied to human gradient echo functional MRI at 7 T for increased volumetric coverage and concurrent high spatial and temporal resolution. Echo planar imaging with simultaneous acquisition of four coronal slices separated by 44mm and simultaneous 4-fold phase-encoding undersampling, resulting in 16-fold acceleration and up to 16-fold maximal aliasing, was investigated. Task/stimulus-induced signal changes and temporal signal behavior under basal conditions were comparable for multiband and standard single-band excitation and longer pulse repetition times. Robust, whole-brain functional mapping at 7 T, with 2 x 2 x 2mm(3) (pulse repetition time 1.25 sec) and 1 x 1 x 2mm(3) (pulse repetition time 1.5 sec) resolutions, covering fields of view of 256 x 256 x 176 mm(3) and 192 x 172 x 176 mm(3), respectively, was demonstrated with current gradient performance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA. moeller@cmrr.umn.edu
authors.forename: Steen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moeller
authors.forename: Essa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Yacoub
authors.forename: Cheryl A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Olman
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Auerbach
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Strupp
authors.forename: Noam
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Harel
authors.forename: Kâmil
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Uğurbil
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D001931:Brain Mapping / Q000379:methods*; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity