fMRI

BOLD Sensitivity Optimisation

We optimise our fMRI sequences depending on the area of the brain that is of interest. This can be done by tailoring the angulation and z-shim settings of the sequence. An automated optimisation tool is described by Volz et al. (2019) Neuroimage.

high resolution acquisition schemes

We evaluate, optimise and develop techniques like 2D multiband and 3D-EPI to increase spatio-temporal resolution in fMRI.

We use CAIPIRINHA sampling schemes using Gadgetron to achieve higher acceleration factors. Image acceleration can facilitate either imaging with higher spatial or temporal resolution. When high acceleration factors are used, the analysis needs to take the increased levels of temporal auto-correlation into account, e.g. using the FAST algorithm as implemented in SPM. This is explained and evaluated in Corbin et al. (2019) HBM.

Selected Publications

Accurate modeling of temporal correlations in rapidly sampled fMRI time series.

Optimizing Data for Modeling Neuronal Responses.

Functional sensitivity of 2D simultaneous multi-slice echo-planar imaging: Effects of acceleration on g-factor and physiological noise.

Evaluation of 2D multiband EPI imaging for high-resolution, whole-brain, task-based fMRI studies at 3T: Sensitivity and slice leakage artifacts.