Exploring structure and function of sensory cortex with 7 T MRI

In this paper, we present an overview of 7 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies of the detailed function and anatomy of sensory areas of the human brain. We discuss the motivation for the studies, with particular emphasis on increasing the spatial resolution of functional MRI (fMRI) using...

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Main Authors: Schluppeck, Denis, Sánchez-Panchuelo, Rosa-Maria, Francis, Susan T.
Format: Article
Published: Elsevier 2018
Online Access:https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/40332/
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author Schluppeck, Denis
Sánchez-Panchuelo, Rosa-Maria
Francis, Susan T.
author_facet Schluppeck, Denis
Sánchez-Panchuelo, Rosa-Maria
Francis, Susan T.
author_sort Schluppeck, Denis
building Nottingham Research Data Repository
collection Online Access
description In this paper, we present an overview of 7 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies of the detailed function and anatomy of sensory areas of the human brain. We discuss the motivation for the studies, with particular emphasis on increasing the spatial resolution of functional MRI (fMRI) using reduced field-of-view (FOV) data acquisitions. MRI at ultra-high-field (UHF) – defined here as 7 T and above – has several advantages over lower field strengths. The intrinsic signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of images is higher at UHF, and coupled with the increased blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) signal change, this results in increased BOLD contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), which can be exploited to improve spatial resolution or detect weaker signals. Additionally, the BOLD signal from the intra-vascular (IV) compartment is relatively diminished compared to lower field strengths. Together, these properties make 7 T functional MRI an attractive proposition for high spatial specificity measures. But with the advantages come some challenges. For example, increased vulnerability to susceptibility-induced geometric distortions and signal loss in EPI acquisitions tend to be much larger. Some of these technical issues can be addressed with currently available tools and will be discussed. We highlight the key methodological considerations for high resolution functional and structural imaging at 7 T. We then present recent data using the high spatial resolution available at UHF in studies of the visual and somatosensory cortex to highlight promising developments in this area.
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spelling nottingham-403322020-05-04T19:24:39Z https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/40332/ Exploring structure and function of sensory cortex with 7 T MRI Schluppeck, Denis Sánchez-Panchuelo, Rosa-Maria Francis, Susan T. In this paper, we present an overview of 7 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies of the detailed function and anatomy of sensory areas of the human brain. We discuss the motivation for the studies, with particular emphasis on increasing the spatial resolution of functional MRI (fMRI) using reduced field-of-view (FOV) data acquisitions. MRI at ultra-high-field (UHF) – defined here as 7 T and above – has several advantages over lower field strengths. The intrinsic signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of images is higher at UHF, and coupled with the increased blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) signal change, this results in increased BOLD contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), which can be exploited to improve spatial resolution or detect weaker signals. Additionally, the BOLD signal from the intra-vascular (IV) compartment is relatively diminished compared to lower field strengths. Together, these properties make 7 T functional MRI an attractive proposition for high spatial specificity measures. But with the advantages come some challenges. For example, increased vulnerability to susceptibility-induced geometric distortions and signal loss in EPI acquisitions tend to be much larger. Some of these technical issues can be addressed with currently available tools and will be discussed. We highlight the key methodological considerations for high resolution functional and structural imaging at 7 T. We then present recent data using the high spatial resolution available at UHF in studies of the visual and somatosensory cortex to highlight promising developments in this area. Elsevier 2018-01-01 Article PeerReviewed Schluppeck, Denis, Sánchez-Panchuelo, Rosa-Maria and Francis, Susan T. (2018) Exploring structure and function of sensory cortex with 7 T MRI. NeuroImage, 164 . pp. 10-17. ISSN 1095-9572 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1053811917301039 doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2017.01.081 doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2017.01.081
spellingShingle Schluppeck, Denis
Sánchez-Panchuelo, Rosa-Maria
Francis, Susan T.
Exploring structure and function of sensory cortex with 7 T MRI
title Exploring structure and function of sensory cortex with 7 T MRI
title_full Exploring structure and function of sensory cortex with 7 T MRI
title_fullStr Exploring structure and function of sensory cortex with 7 T MRI
title_full_unstemmed Exploring structure and function of sensory cortex with 7 T MRI
title_short Exploring structure and function of sensory cortex with 7 T MRI
title_sort exploring structure and function of sensory cortex with 7 t mri
url https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/40332/
https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/40332/
https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/40332/