title: Differential functional benefits of ultra highfield MR systems within the language network.
abstract: Several investigations have shown limitations of fMRI reliability with the current standard field strengths. Improvement is expected from ultra highfield systems but studies on possible benefits for cognitive networks are lacking. Here we provide an initial investigation on a prominent and clinically highly-relevant cognitive function: language processing in individual brains. 26 patients evaluated for presurgical language localization were investigated with a standardized overt language fMRI paradigm on both 3T and 7T MR scanners. During data acquisition and analysis we made particular efforts to minimize effects not related to static magnetic field strength differences. Six measures relevant for functional activation showed a large dissociation between essential language network nodes: although in Wernicke's area 5/6 measures indicated a benefit of ultra highfield, in Broca's area no comparison was significant. The most important reason for this discrepancy was identified as being an increase in susceptibility-related artifacts in inferior frontal brain areas at ultra high field. We conclude that functional UHF benefits are evident, however these depend crucially on the brain region investigated and the ability to control local artifacts.
authors.affiliation: Study Group Clinical fMRI, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria; High Field MR Center, Medical University of Vienna, Austria; Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Geißler
authors.affiliation: Study Group Clinical fMRI, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria; High Field MR Center, Medical University of Vienna, Austria; Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Matt
authors.affiliation: Study Group Clinical fMRI, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria; High Field MR Center, Medical University of Vienna, Austria; Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fischmeister
authors.affiliation: Study Group Clinical fMRI, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria; High Field MR Center, Medical University of Vienna, Austria; Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wurnig
authors.affiliation: High Field MR Center, Medical University of Vienna, Austria; Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dymerska
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Medical University of Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Knosp
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Feucht
authors.affiliation: High Field MR Center, Medical University of Vienna, Austria; Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Trattnig
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Auff
authors.affiliation: Department of Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: W T
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Fitch
authors.affiliation: High Field MR Center, Medical University of Vienna, Austria; Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.affiliation: Study Group Clinical fMRI, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria; High Field MR Center, Medical University of Vienna, Austria; Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria. Electronic address: roland.beisteiner@meduniwien.ac.at.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Beisteiner
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D001931:Brain Mapping / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D032882:Comprehension / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007802:Language; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult