Echo Planar Imaging Protocol Research Articles

Characterization of Brain Abnormalities in Lactational Neurodevelopmental Poly I:C Rat Model of Schizophrenia and Depression Using Machine-Learning and Quantitative MRI.

A recent neurodevelopmental rat model, utilizing lactational exposure to polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidilic acid (Poly I:C) leads to mimics of behavioral phenotypes resembling schizophrenia-like symptoms in male offspring and depression-like symptoms in female offspring. To identify mechanisms of neuronal abnormalities in lactational Poly I:C offspring using quantitative MRI (qMRI) tools. Prospective. Twenty Poly I:C rats and 20 healthy control rats, age 130 postnatal day. 7 T. Multiflip-angle FLASH protocol for T1 mapping; multi-echo spin-echo T2-mapping protocol; echo planar imaging protocol for diffusion tensor imaging. Nursing dams were injected with the viral mimic Poly I:C or saline (control group). In adulthood, quantitative maps of T1, T2, proton density, and five diffusion metrics were generated for the offsprings. Seven regions of interest (ROIs) were segmented, followed by extracting 10 quantitative features for each ROI. Random forest machine learning (ML) tool was employed to identify MRI markers of disease and classify Poly I:C rats from healthy controls based on quantitative features. Poly I:C rats were identified from controls with an accuracy of 82.5 ± 25.9% for females and 85.0 ± 24.0% for males. Poly I:C females exhibited differences mainly in diffusion-derived parameters in the thalamus and the medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC), while males displayed changes primarily in diffusion-derived parameters in the corpus callosum and MPFC. qMRI shows potential for identifying sex-specific brain abnormalities in the Poly I:C model of neurodevelopmental disorders. NA TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 2.

Neural response during prefrontal theta burst stimulation: Interleaved TMS-fMRI of full iTBS protocols

BackgroundLeft prefrontal intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) has emerged as a safe and effective transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) treatment protocol in depression. Though network effects after iTBS have been widely studied, the deeper mechanistic understanding of target engagement is still at its beginning. Here, we investigate the feasibility of a novel integrated TMS-fMRI setup and accelerated echo planar imaging protocol to directly observe the immediate effects of full iTBS treatment sessions. Objective/hypothesisIn our effort to explore interleaved iTBS-fMRI feasibility, we hypothesize that TMS will induce acute BOLD signal changes in both the stimulated area and interconnected neural regions. MethodsConcurrent TMS-fMRI with full sessions of neuronavigated iTBS (i.e. 600 pulses) of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) was investigated in 18 healthy participants. In addition, we conducted four TMS-fMRI sessions in a single patient on long-term maintenance iTBS for bipolar depression to test the transfer to clinical cases. ResultsConcurrent TMS-fMRI was feasible for iTBS sequences with 600 pulses. During interleaved iTBS-fMRI, an increase of the BOLD signal was observed in a network including bilateral DLPFC regions. In the clinical case, a reduced BOLD response was found in the left DLPFC and the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex, with high variability across individual sessions. ConclusionsFull iTBS sessions as applied for the treatment of depressive disorders can be established in the interleaved iTBS-fMRI paradigm. In the future, this experimental approach could be valuable in clinical samples, for demonstrating target engagement by iTBS protocols and investigating their mechanisms of therapeutic action.

Optimization of Gradient-Echo Echo-Planar Imaging for T2* Contrast in the Brain at 0.5 T.

Gradient-recalled echo (GRE) echo-planar imaging (EPI) is an efficient MRI pulse sequence that is commonly used for several enticing applications, including functional MRI (fMRI), susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI), and proton resonance frequency (PRF) thermometry. These applications are typically not performed in the mid-field (<1 T) as longer T2* and lower polarization present significant challenges. However, recent developments of mid-field scanners equipped with high-performance gradient sets offer the possibility to re-evaluate the feasibility of these applications. The paper introduces a metric "T2* contrast efficiency" for this evaluation, which minimizes dead time in the EPI sequence while maximizing T2* contrast so that the temporal and pseudo signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) can be attained, which could be used to quantify experimental parameters for future fMRI experiments in the mid-field. To guide the optimization, T2* measurements of the cortical gray matter are conducted, focusing on specific regions of interest (ROIs). Temporal and pseudo SNR are calculated with the measured time-series EPI data to observe the echo times at which the maximum T2* contrast efficiency is achieved. T2* for a specific cortical ROI is reported at 0.5 T. The results suggest the optimized echo time for the EPI protocols is shorter than the effective T2* of that region. The effective reduction of dead time prior to the echo train is feasible with an optimized EPI protocol, which will increase the overall scan efficiency for several EPI-based applications at 0.5 T.

Alterations in internetwork functional connectivity in patients with post COVID-19 syndrome within the boundaries of the Triple Network Model

AIM: Was to assess the changes in the connections between the three main neural networks using resting-state fMRI in patients with post COVID-19 syndrome with cerebral neurological symptoms, within the boundaries of the triple net-work model.&#x0D; MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined a total of 15 patients (mean age 36.4 8.3 years; M : W = 10 : 5) with post COVID-19 syndrome who presented with neurological complaints, primarily decreased memory and attention, general weakness, low performance and sleep disturbance. The control group consisted of healthy 15 subjects (mean age, 32.2 6.9 years; M : W = 11 : 4) who had not previously been exposed to COVID-19. All members of the control group were vaccinated with the Sputnik-V vaccine. Magnetic resonance examination was performed on a Siemens Espree magnetic resonance imaging machine with a magnetic field strength of 1.5T. To exclude structural brain lesions, a standard magnetic resonance examination was performed with pulsed T1-WI, T2-WI, and Flair sequences. For postprocessing, T1 gradient echo and resting state echo-planar imaging protocols were performed. Postprocessing was performed using the software package CONN toolbox 20a to obtain clusters of functional connectivity of the studied neural networks using the seed-to-voxel processing protocol.&#x0D; RESULTS: Disruption of connectivity of the standard resting neural network with lingvalis ingual, fusiform, and middle frontal gyrus was detected. The salient resting neural network had a worse ability to form connections in patients with post COVID-19 syndrome with lateral occipital cortex, angular gyrus, superior parietal lobule and supramarginal gyrus in one cluster and frontal cortex, and paracingular gyrus in the second cluster. The resting frontoparietal neural network interacted significantly better in the control group with the cerebellar structures, the middle frontal gyrus, and the cuneus and precuneus.&#x0D; CONCLUSION: Patients with COVID-19 and the presence of post COVID-19 syndrome have reduced functional connectivity of all three basic neural networks with the big number of anatomo-physiological brain structures.

A comparison of multiband and multiband multiecho gradient-echo EPI for task fMRI at 3T.

A multiband (MB) echo-planar imaging (EPI) sequence is compared to a multiband multiecho (MBME) EPI protocol to investigate differences in sensitivity for task functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) at 3T. Multiecho sampling improves sensitivity in areas where single-echo-EPI suffers from dropouts. However, It requires in-plane acceleration to reduce the echo train length, limiting the slice acceleration factor and the temporal and spatial resolution Data were acquired for both protocols in two sessions 24 h apart using an adapted color-word interference Stroop task. Besides protocol comparison statistically, we performed test-retest reliability across sessions for different protocols and denoising methods. We evaluated the sensitivity of two different echo-combination strategies for MBME-EPI. We examined the performance of three different data denoising approaches: "Standard," "AROMA," and "FIX" for MB and MBME, and assessed whether a specific method is preferable. We consider using an appropriate autoregressive model order within the general linear model framework to correct TR differences between the protocols. The comparison between protocols and denoising methods showed at group level significantly higher mean z-scores and the number of active voxels for MBME in the motor, subcortical and medial frontal cortices. When comparing different echo combinations, our results suggest that a contrast-to-noise ratio weighted echo combination improves sensitivity in MBME compared to simple echo-summation. This study indicates that MBME can be a preferred protocol in task fMRI at spatial resolution (≥2 mm), primarily in medial prefrontal and subcortical areas.

Apparent Diffusion Coefficient Reproducibility Across 3T Scanners in a Breast Diffusion Phantom.

To date, the accuracy and variability of diffusion-weighted MRI (DW-MRI) metrics have been reported in a limited number of scanner/protocol/coil combinations. To evaluate the reproducibility of DW-MRI estimates across multiple scanners and DW-MRI protocols and to assess the effects of using an 8-channel vs. 16-channel breast coil in a breast phantom. Prospective. Breast phantom containing tubes of water and differing polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) concentrations with apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) matching breast tissue. 3 T (three standard and one wide bore), three DW-MRI single-shot echo planar imaging protocols of varying acquired spatial resolution. Accuracy of estimated ADCs was assessed using percent differences (PD) relative to nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy-derived reference values. Coefficients of variation (CV) were calculated to determine variation across scanners. CVs based on the median standard deviation (CVM ) were used to evaluate tube-specific dispersion using 8- or 16-channel coils at a single scanner. ADCs of PVP-containing tubes were additionally normalized by the median water tube ADC to account for temperature effects. Two-way repeated measures analysis of variance and post hoc tests were used to evaluate differences in ADC, CV, and CVM across scanners and protocols (α=0.05). ADCs were within 11% (interquartile range [IQR] 7%) of reference values and significantly improved to 2% (IQR 7%) after normalization to an internal water reference. Normalization significantly reduced interscanner variability of ADC estimates from 7% to 4%. DW-MRI protocol did not affect ADC accuracy; however, the clinical and higher-resolution clinical protocols resulted in the greatest (9%) and least (6%) interscanner variability, respectively. The 8- and 16-channel receive coils yielded similar accuracy (PD: 12% vs. 16%) and precision (CVM : 2.7% vs. 2.9%). Normalization by an internal reference improved interscanner ADC reproducibility. High-resolution protocols yielded comparably accurate and significantly less variable ADCs compared to a clinical standard protocol. 2 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 1.

Initial Experience on Hyperpolarized [1-13C]Pyruvate MRI Multicenter Reproducibility-Are Multicenter Trials Feasible?

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with hyperpolarized [1-13C]pyruvate allows real-time and pathway specific clinical detection of otherwise unimageable in vivo metabolism. However, the comparability between sites and protocols is unknown. Here, we provide initial experiences on the agreement of hyperpolarized MRI between sites and protocols by repeated imaging of same healthy volunteers in Europe and the US. Methods: Three healthy volunteers traveled for repeated multicenter brain MRI exams with hyperpolarized [1-13C]pyruvate within one year. First, multisite agreement was assessed with the same echo-planar imaging protocol at both sites. Then, this was compared to a variable resolution echo-planar imaging protocol. In total, 12 examinations were performed. Common metrics of 13C-pyruvate to 13C-lactate conversion were calculated, including the kPL, a model-based kinetic rate constant, and its model-free equivalents. Repeatability was evaluated with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) for absolute agreement computed using two-way random effects models. Results: The mean kPL across all examinations in the multisite comparison was 0.024 ± 0.0016 s−1. The ICC of the kPL was 0.83 (p = 0.14) between sites and 0.7 (p = 0.09) between examinations of the same volunteer at any of the two sites. For the model-free metrics, the lactate Z-score had similar site-to-site ICC, while it was considerably lower for the lactate-to-pyruvate ratio. Conclusions: Estimation of metabolic conversion from hyperpolarized [1-13C]pyruvate to lactate using model-based metrics such as kPL suggests close agreement between sites and examinations in volunteers. Our initial results support harmonization of protocols, support multicenter studies, and inform their design.

An artificial intelligence-accelerated 2-minute multi-shot echo planar imaging protocol for comprehensive high-quality clinical brain imaging.

We introduce and validate an artificial intelligence (AI)-accelerated multi-shot echo-planar imaging (msEPI)-based method that provides T1w, T2w, , T2-FLAIR, and DWI images with high SNR, high tissue contrast, low specific absorption rates (SAR), and minimal distortion in 2 minutes. The rapid imaging technique combines a novel machine learning (ML) scheme to limit g-factor noise amplification and improve SNR, a magnetization transfer preparation module to provide clinically desirable contrast, and high per-shot EPI undersampling factors to reduce distortion. The ML training and image reconstruction incorporates a tunable parameter for controlling the level of denoising/smoothness. The performance of the reconstruction method is evaluated across various acceleration factors, contrasts, and SNR conditions. The 2-minute protocol is directly compared to a 10-minute clinical reference protocol through deployment in a clinical setting, where five representative cases with pathology are examined. Optimization of custom msEPI sequences and protocols was performed to balance acquisition efficiency and image quality compared to the five-fold longer clinical reference. Training data from 16 healthy subjects across multiple contrasts and orientations were used to produce ML networks at various acceleration levels. The flexibility of the ML reconstruction was demonstrated across SNR levels, and an optimized regularization was determined through radiological review. Network generalization toward novel pathology, unobserved during training, was illustrated in five clinical case studies with clinical reference images provided for comparison. The rapid 2-minute msEPI-based protocol with tunable ML reconstruction allows for advantageous trade-offs between acquisition speed, SNR, and tissue contrast when compared to the five-fold slower standard clinical reference exam.

An isotropic EPI database and analytical pipelines for rat brain resting-state fMRI

Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has drastically expanded the scope of brain research by advancing our knowledge about the topologies, dynamics, and interspecies translatability of functional brain networks. Several databases have been developed and shared in accordance with recent key initiatives in the rodent fMRI community to enhance the transparency, reproducibility, and interpretability of data acquired at various sites. Despite these pioneering efforts, one notable challenge preventing efficient standardization in the field is the customary choice of anisotropic echo planar imaging (EPI) schemes with limited spatial coverage. Imaging with anisotropic resolution and/or reduced brain coverage has significant shortcomings including reduced registration accuracy and increased deviation in brain feature detection. Here we proposed a high-spatial-resolution (0.4 mm), isotropic, whole-brain EPI protocol for the rat brain using a horizontal slicing scheme that can maintain a functionally relevant repetition time (TR), avoid high gradient duty cycles, and offer unequivocal whole-brain coverage. Using this protocol, we acquired resting-state EPI fMRI data from 87 healthy rats under the widely used dexmedetomidine sedation supplemented with low-dose isoflurane on a 9.4 T MRI system. We developed an EPI template that closely approximates the Paxinos and Watson's rat brain coordinate system and demonstrated its ability to improve the accuracy of group-level approaches and streamline fMRI data pre-processing. Using this database, we employed a multi-scale dictionary-learning approach to identify reliable spatiotemporal features representing rat brain intrinsic activity. Subsequently, we performed k-means clustering on those features to obtain spatially discrete, functional regions of interest (ROIs). Using Euclidean-based hierarchical clustering and modularity-based partitioning, we identified the topological organizations of the rat brain. Additionally, the identified group-level FC network appeared robust across strains and sexes. The “triple-network” commonly adapted in human fMRI were resembled in the rat brain. Through this work, we disseminate raw and pre-processed isotropic EPI data, a rat brain EPI template, as well as identified functional ROIs and networks in standardized rat brain coordinates. We also make our analytical pipelines and scripts publicly available, with the hope of facilitating rat brain resting-state fMRI study standardization.

FMRI protocol optimization for simultaneously studying small subcortical and cortical areas at 7 ​T

Most fundamental cognitive processes rely on brain networks that include both cortical and subcortical structures. Studying such networks using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) requires a data acquisition protocol that provides blood-oxygenation-level dependent (BOLD) sensitivity across the entire brain. However, when using standard single echo, echo planar imaging protocols, researchers face a tradeoff between BOLD-sensitivity in cortex and in subcortical areas. Multi echo protocols avoid this tradeoff and can be used to optimize BOLD-sensitivity across the entire brain, at the cost of an increased repetition time. Here, we empirically compare the BOLD-sensitivity of a single echo protocol to a multi echo protocol. Both protocols were designed to meet the specific requirements for studying small, iron rich subcortical structures (including a relatively high spatial resolution and short echo times), while retaining coverage and BOLD-sensitivity in cortical areas. The results indicate that both sequences lead to similar BOLD-sensitivity across the brain at 7 ​T.

Improved MR thermometry for laser interstitial thermotherapy.

To develop, test and evaluate improved 2D and 3D protocols for proton resonance frequency shift magnetic resonance temperature imaging (MRTI) of laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT). The objective was to develop improved MRTI protocols in terms of temperature measurement precision and volume coverage compared to the 2D MRTI protocol currently used with a commercially available LITT system. Four different 2D protocols and four different 3D protocols were investigated. The 2D protocols used multi-echo readouts to prolong the total MR sampling time and hence the MRTI precision, without prolonging the total acquisition time. The 3D protocols provided volumetric thermometry by acquiring a slab of 12 contiguous slices in the same acquisition time as the 2D protocols. The study only considered readily available pulse sequences (Cartesian 2D and 3D gradient recalled echo and echo planar imaging [EPI]) and methods (partial Fourier and parallel imaging) to ensure wide availability and rapid clinical implementation across vendors and field strengths. In vivo volunteer studies were performed to investigate and compare MRTI precision and image quality. Phantom experiments with LITT heating were performed to investigate and compare MRTI precision and accuracy. Different coil setups were used in the in vivo studies to assess precision differences between using local (such as flex and head coils) and non-local (i.e., body coil) receive coils. Studies were performed at both 1.5 T and 3 T. The improved 2D protocols provide up to a factor of two improvement in the MRTI precision in the same acquisition time, compared to the currently used clinical protocol. The 3D echo planar imaging protocols provide comparable precision as the currently used 2D clinical protocol, but over a substantially larger field of view, without increasing the acquisition time. As expected, local receive coils perform substantially better than the body coil, and 3 T provides better MRTI accuracy and precision than 1.5 T. 3D data can be zero-filled interpolated in all three dimensions (as opposed to just two dimensions for 2D data), reducing partial volume effects and measuring higher maximum temperature rises. With the presented protocols substantially improved MRTI precision (for 2D imaging) or greatly improved field of view coverage (for 3D imaging) can be achieved in the same acquisition time as the currently used protocol. Only widely available pulse sequences and acquisition methods were investigated, which should ensure quick translation to the clinic. Lasers Surg. Med. 51:286-300, 2019. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Maximising BOLD sensitivity through automated EPI protocol optimisation

Gradient echo echo-planar imaging (GE EPI) is used for most fMRI studies but can suffer substantially from image distortions and BOLD sensitivity (BS) loss due to susceptibility-induced magnetic field inhomogeneities. While there are various post-processing methods for correcting image distortions, signal dropouts cannot be recovered and therefore need to be addressed at the data acquisition stage. Common approaches for reducing susceptibility-related BS loss in selected brain areas are: z-shimming, inverting the phase encoding (PE) gradient polarity, optimizing the slice tilt and increasing spatial resolution. The optimization of these parameters can be based on atlases derived from multiple echo-planar imaging (EPI) acquisitions. However, this requires resource and time, which imposes a practical limitation on the range over which parameters can be optimised meaning that the chosen settings may still be sub-optimal. To address this issue, we have developed an automated method that can be used to optimize across a large parameter space. It is based on numerical signal simulations of the BS loss predicted by physical models informed by a large database of magnetic field (B0) maps acquired on a broad cohort of participants. The advantage of our simulation-based approach compared to previous methods is that it saves time and expensive measurements and allows for optimizing EPI protocols by incorporating a broad range of factors, including different resolutions, echo times or slice orientations. To verify the numerical optimisation, results are compared to those from an earlier study and to experimental BS measurements carried out in six healthy volunteers.

Fast and reproducible in vivo T1 mapping of the human cervical spinal cord.

To develop a fast and robust method for measuring T1 in the whole cervical spinal cord in vivo, and to assess its reproducibility. A spatially nonselective adiabatic inversion pulse is combined with zonally oblique-magnified multislice echo-planar imaging to produce a reduced field-of-view inversion-recovery echo-planar imaging protocol. Multi- inversion time data are obtained by cycling slice order throughout sequence repetitions. Measurement of T1 is performed using 12 inversion times for a total protocol duration of 7 min. Reproducibility of regional T1 estimates is assessed in a scan-rescan experiment on five heathy subjects. Regional mean (standard deviation) T1 was: 1108.5 (±77.2) ms for left lateral column, 1110.1 (±83.2) ms for right lateral column, 1150.4 (±102.6) ms for dorsal column, and 1136.4 (±90.8) ms for gray matter. Regional T1 estimates showed good correlation between sessions (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.89 (P value < 0.01); mean difference = 2 ms, 95% confidence interval ± 20 ms); and high reproducibility (intersession coefficient of variation approximately 1% in all the regions considered, intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.88 (P value < 0.01, confidence interval 0.71-0.95)). T1 estimates in the cervical spinal cord are reproducible using inversion-recovery zonally oblique-magnified multislice echo-planar imaging. The short acquisition time and large coverage of this method paves the way for accurate T1 mapping for various spinal cord pathologies. Magn Reson Med 79:2142-2148, 2018. © 2017 The Authors Magnetic Resonance in Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Characterization of pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling: Simulations and experimental validation.

To characterize pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (pCASL) through simulations of spin inversion and to discuss suitable parameter settings for measuring cerebral perfusion. Simulations of arterial spin inversion in pCASL were performed based on the Bloch equation. Both the labeling and the control condition of pCASL were analyzed separately, and the labeling efficiency, α, was calculated depending on the averages of both, the radiofrequency (RF) field amplitude and labeling gradient strength. The influence of additional parameters characterizing the pCASL pulse sequence, such as the interpulse interval, the RF duty cycle, and the labeling gradient, also were studied. An echo-planar imaging protocol utilizing a short repetition time was developed for experimental validation by estimating α in the internal carotid artery. The effectiveness of the control condition of balanced pCASL crucially depends on both the labeling gradient amplitude and the RF duty cycle. The use of large values for both quantities improves the insensitivity to off-resonance gradients caused by magnetic field inhomogeneities. In addition, balanced and unbalanced pCASL become comparably effective. By use of appropriate parameter settings, labeling efficiencies of around 90% are feasible, independent of expected off-resonance gradients at 3T. Magn Reson Med 79:1638-1649, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

A single-shot T2 mapping protocol based on echo-split gradient-spin-echo acquisition and parametric multiplexed sensitivity encoding based on projection onto convex sets reconstruction.

To develop a high-speed T2 mapping protocol that is capable of accurately measuring T2 relaxation time constants from a single-shot acquisition. A new echo-split single-shot gradient-spin-echo (GRASE) pulse sequence is developed to acquire multicontrast data while suppressing signals from most nonprimary echo pathways in Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG) echoes. Residual nonprimary pathway signals are taken into consideration when performing T2 mapping using a parametric multiplexed sensitivity encoding based on projection onto convex sets (parametric-POCSMUSE) reconstruction method that incorporates extended phase graph modeling of GRASE signals. The single-shot echo-split GRASE-based T2 mapping procedure was evaluated in human studies at 3 Tesla. The acquired data were compared with reference data obtained with a more time-consuming interleaved spin-echo echo planar imaging protocol. T2 maps derived from conventional single-shot GRASE scans, in which nonprimary echo pathways were not appropriately addressed, were also evaluated. Using the developed single-shot T2 mapping protocol, quantitatively accurate T2 maps can be obtained with a short scan time (<0.2 seconds per slice). Accurate T2 mapping with minimal signal contamination from CPMG high-order echo pathways can be achieved by the developed method that integrates single-shot echo-split GRASE acquisition and parametric-POCSMUSE reconstruction. Magn Reson Med 79:383-393, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

High resolution CBV assessment with PEAK-EPI: k-t-undersampling and reconstruction in echo planar imaging.

Achieving higher spatial resolution and improved brain coverage while mitigating in-plane susceptibility artifacts in the assessment of perfusion parameters, such as cerebral blood volume, in echo planar imaging (EPI)-based dynamic susceptibility contrast weighted cerebral perfusion measurements. PEAK-EPI, an EPI sequence with interleaved readout trajectories and three different strategies for autocalibration-signal acquisition (inplace, dynamic extra and extra) is presented. Performance of each approach is analyzed in vivo based on flip angle variation induced dynamics, assessing temporal fidelity, temporal SNR and g-factors. All approaches are compared with conventional GRAPPA reconstructions. PEAK-EPI with inplace autocalibration-signal at R = 5 is then compared with the standard clinical EPI protocol in six patients, using two half-dose dynamic susceptibility contrast weighted cerebral perfusion measurements per subject. PEAK-EPI acquisition facilitates a substantial increase of spatial resolution at a higher number of slices per TR and provides improved SNR compared to conventional GRAPPA. High dependency of the resulting reconstruction quality on the type of autocalibration-signal acquisition is observed. PEAK-EPI with inplace autocalibration-signal achieves high temporal fidelity and initial feasibility is shown. The obtained high resolution cerebral blood volume maps reveal more detailed information than in corresponding standard EPI measurements and facilitate detailed delineation of tumorous tissue. Magn Reson Med 77:2153-2166, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

Generalized iNverse imaging (GIN): Ultrafast fMRI with physiological noise correction

An ultrafast functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technique, called generalized inverse imaging (GIN), is proposed, which combines inverse imaging with a phase constraint-leading to a less underdetermined reconstruction-and physiological noise correction. A single 3D echo planar imaging (EPI) prescan is sufficient to obtain the necessary coil sensitivity information and reference images that are used to reconstruct standard images, so that standard analysis methods are applicable. A moving dots stimulus paradigm was chosen to assess the performance of GIN. We find that the spatial localization of activation for GIN is comparable to an EPI protocol and that maximum z-scores increase significantly. The high temporal resolution of GIN (50 ms) and the acquisition of the phase information enable unaliased sampling and regression of physiological signals. Using the phase time courses obtained from the 32 channels of the receiver coils as nuisance regressors in a general linear model results in significant improvement of the functional activation, rendering the acquisition of external physiological signals unnecessary. The proposed physiological noise correction can in principle be used for other fMRI protocols, such as simultaneous multislice acquisitions, which acquire the phase information sufficiently fast and sample physiological signals unaliased.

Implementation and assessment of diffusion‐weighted partial Fourier readout‐segmented echo‐planar imaging

Single-shot echo-planar imaging has been used widely in diffusion magnetic resonance imaging due to the difficulties in correcting motion-induced phase corruption in multishot data. Readout-segmented EPI has addressed the multishot problem by introducing a two-dimensional nonlinear navigator correction with online reacquisition of uncorrectable data to enable acquisition of high-resolution diffusion data with reduced susceptibility artifact and T*(2) blurring. The primary shortcoming of readout-segmented EPI in its current form is its long acquisition time (longer than similar resolution single-shot echo-planar imaging protocols by approximately the number of readout segments), which limits the number of diffusion directions. By omitting readout segments at one side of k-space and using partial Fourier reconstruction, readout-segmented EPI imaging times could be reduced. In this study, the effects of homodyne and projection onto convex sets reconstructions on estimates of the fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity, and diffusion orientation in fiber tracts and raw T(2)- and trace-weighted signal are compared, along with signal-to-noise ratio results. It is found that projections onto convex sets reconstruction with 3/5 segments in a 2 mm isotropic diffusion tensor image acquisition and 9/13 segments in a 0.9 × 0.9 × 4.0 mm(3) diffusion-weighted image acquisition provide good fidelity relative to the full k-space parameters. This allows application of readout-segmented EPI to tractography studies, and clinical stroke and oncology protocols.

Fast high resolution whole brain T2* weighted imaging using echo planar imaging at 7 T

Magnetic susceptibility based (T2* weighted) contrast in MRI at high magnetic field strength is of great value in research on brain structure and cortical architecture, but its use is hampered by the low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) efficiency of the conventional spoiled gradient echo sequence (GRE) leading to long scan times even for a limited number of slices. In this work, we show that high resolution (0.5mm isotropic) T2* weighted images of the whole brain can be obtained in 6min by utilizing the high SNR efficiency of echo-planar imaging (EPI). A volumetric (3D) EPI protocol is presented and compared to conventional 3D GRE images acquired with the same resolution, amount of T2* weighting, and imaging duration. Spatial coverage in 3D EPI was increased by a factor of 4.5 compared to 3D GRE, while also the SNR was increased by a factor of 2. Image contrast for both magnitude and phase between gray and white matter was similar for both sequences, with enhanced conspicuity of anatomic details in the 3D EPI images due to the increased SNR. Even at 7T, image blurring and distortion is limited if the EPI train length remains short (not longer than the T2* of the imaged tissue). 3D EPI provides steps (speed, whole brain coverage, and high isotropic resolution) that are necessary to utilize the benefits of high field MRI in research that employs T2* weighted imaging.

IC-P-068: Diffusion tensor imaging of normal appearing white matter in MCI and AD

Structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies on mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) have largely focused on the brain's cortical gray matter. However, cellular degeneration in cortical structures is usually accompanied by concomitant degeneration of axonal processes from these dying neurons. Pathoanatomical and imaging studies have confirmed both macroscopic and microscopic white matter changes in patients with AD. We propose that microstructural changes in subcortical brain regions should also be detectable in MCI. To examine the microstructural integrity of subcortical white mater in subjects with amnestic MCI and mild AD using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Elderly subjects with normal cognition (n=5), MCI (n=6) and mild AD (n=4) were recruited from our Alzheimer's Disease Research Center. Petersen criteria were used to diagnose amnestic MCI, and NINCDS–ADRDA criteria to diagnose AD. Normal appearing white matter (NAWM) was defined by normal signal intensity on standard T1–weighted, T2–weighted and FLAIR images. DTI images were acquired using a single shot, pulsed gradient, echo planar imaging protocol with twelve non–collinear gradient directions. Fractional anisotropy (FA), axial diffusivity (DA) and radial diffusivity (DR) of NAWM regions in the frontal, temporal, parietal and occipital lobes were measured and compared across the three groups using ANOVA with post–hoc Scheffe tests. Both AD and MCI subjects demonstrated significantly lower FA in frontal and temporal NAWM compared with normal control subjects (AD/MCI/normal = 0.28/0.28/0.35 in frontal NAWM, F=6.61, df =2, p<0.01; AD/MCI/normal = 0.41/0.44/0.52 in temporal NAWM, F=14.2, df =2, p<0.001). Radial diffusivity (DR) was significantly greater in AD and MCI subjects compared to normal controls in parietal NAWM (AD/MCI/normal = 0.62/0.60/0.56, F=11.9, df=2, p<0.001). Even in NAWM, we found evidence for microstructural changes in AD and MCI. These changes were present in brain regions serving higher cortical functions (frontal, temporal and parietal lobes), but not in regions serving primary functions (occipital lobe), and are consistent with a hypothesized loss of axonal processes in affected regions.