title: High-resolution functional MRI at 3 T: 3D/2D echo-planar imaging with optimized physiological noise correction.
abstract: High-resolution functional MRI (fMRI) offers unique possibilities for studying human functional neuroanatomy. Although high-resolution fMRI has proven its potential at 7 T, most fMRI studies are still performed at rather low spatial resolution at 3 T. We optimized and compared single-shot two-dimensional echo-planar imaging (EPI) and multishot three-dimensional EPI high-resolution fMRI protocols. We extended image-based physiological noise correction from two-dimensional EPI to multishot three-dimensional EPI. The functional sensitivity of both acquisition schemes was assessed in a visual fMRI experiment. The physiological noise correction increased the sensitivity significantly, can be easily applied, and requires simple recordings of pulse and respiration only. The combination of three-dimensional EPI with physiological noise correction provides exceptional sensitivity for 1.5 mm high-resolution fMRI at 3 T, increasing the temporal signal-to-noise ratio by more than 25% compared to two-dimensional EPI.
authors: Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging, Department of Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, UCL Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom. a.lutti@ucl.ac.uk
authors: Antoine
authors: A
authors: Lutti
authors: David L
authors: DL
authors: Thomas
authors: Chloe
authors: C
authors: Hutton
authors: Nikolaus
authors: N
authors: Weiskopf
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D016477:Artifacts; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D001931:Brain Mapping / Q000379:methods*; D017352:Echo-Planar Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D059629:Signal-To-Noise Ratio