Imaging brain function in humans at 7 Tesla

TLDR

The study demonstrates the feasibility of BOLD fMRI with echo‑planar imaging at 7 T and characterizes the BOLD response in humans at this ultrahigh field. The authors used high‑resolution multishot EPI sequences to perform visual‑stimulation studies in normal subjects, measuring changes in R at multiple echo times. Results at 7 T compared to 4 T show that fMRI can be reliably performed at 7 T, with increased sensitivity and spatial specificity of the BOLD response, indicating ultrahigh‑field MR systems are advantageous for functional mapping in humans. Published in Magn Reson Med 45:588–594 (2001), © 2001 Wiley‑Liss, Inc.

Abstract

Abstract This article describes experimental studies performed to demonstrate the feasibility of BOLD fMRI using echo‐planar imaging (EPI) at 7 T and to characterize the BOLD response in humans at this ultrahigh magnetic field. Visual stimulation studies were performed in normal subjects using high‐resolution multishot EPI sequences. Changes in R arising from visual stimulation were experimentally determined using fMRI measurements obtained at multiple echo times. The results obtained at 7 T were compared to those at 4 T. Experimental data indicate that fMRI can be reliably performed at 7 T and that at this field strength both the sensitivity and spatial specificity of the BOLD response are increased. This study suggests that ultrahigh field MR systems are advantageous for functional mapping in humans. Magn Reson Med 45:588–594, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.