Gradient-echo and spin-echo blood oxygenation level-dependent functionalMRI at ultrahigh fields of 9.4 and 15.2 Tesla: BOLD fMRI at ultrahigh fields

Abstract

* Purpose: Sensitivity and specificity of blood oxygenation level–dependent (BOLD) functional MRI (fMRI) is sensitive to magnetic field strength and acquisition methods. We have investigated gradient‐echo (GE)‐ and spin‐echo (SE)‐BOLD fMRI at ultrahigh fields of 9.4 and 15.2 Tesla (T). * Methods: BOLD fMRI experiments responding to forepaw stimulation were performed with 3 echo times (TE) at each echo type and B0© 2018 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine in α‐chloralose–anesthetized rats. The contralateral forelimb somatosensory region was selected for quantitative analyses.