Abstract #3296

Zhong K, Leupold J, Speck O, Hennig J

This paper analyzes the SSFP signal and contrast behavior at 3 T in fMRI, using a fully balanced multi-echo SSFP sequence with a wide range of TR/TE values. The fMRI activations obtained at different TR/TE times were evaluated, compared to numerical simulations, and the contrast mechanism is discussed. SSFP shows a behavior similar to gradient echo at moderate TR. Signal decays with TE rather than showing a maximum at TR/2. The contrast can be explained by a BOLD mechanism.