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Abstract #3963

An exploration of task based fMRI in neonates using echo-shifting to allow acquisition at longer TE without loss of temporal efficiency

Giulio Ferrazzi 1 , Rita G. Nunes 1,2 , Tomoki Arichi 1 , Maryam Abaei 1 , Emer Hughes 1 , Anthony Price 1 , and Joseph Hajnal 1,3

1 Centre for the Developing Brain, King's College London, London, United Kingdom, 2 Instituto de Biofisica e Engenharia Biomedica, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal, 3 Division of Imaging and Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, King's College London, London, United Kingdom

There is growing interest in fMRI of neonates. However, T2* is longer in immature brains, suggesting that optimal fMRI requires different parameter settings. We explore the use of echo-shifted EPI to detect task activation in a motor paradigm in neonates using longer echo-times to enhance sensitivity to the BOLD effect, first testing for a suitable echo time and then running dual echo and echo shifted sequences on a small group of infants. The pilot data obtained confirmed that longer echo times improve detection of motor activation and that signal recovery combined with increased efficiency can be achieved with echo-shifting.

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