Abstract #1526

Double Acquisition Background Suppressed (DABS) FAIR at 3T and 7T: Advantages for Simultaneous BOLD and CBF Acquisition.

Roman Wesolowski¹, Penny A. Gowland¹, Susan T. Francis¹

¹School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham, Sir Peter Mansfield Magnetic Resonance Centre, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, UK

We have developed and optimised a Double Acquisition Background Suppression (DABS) method for simultaneous CBF and BOLD image collection using FAIR at 3 and 7T. Background suppression reduces physiological noise in ASL by acquiring images close to the null point, but this prohibits simultaneous BOLD acquisition. DABS is a new method which acquires a second BOLD weighted acquisition at the end of each TR period. We have used this technique to obtain qualitative maps of CBF and BOLD haemodynamic responses to a finger tapping task at both 3 and 7T. This technique improves the detection of CBF changes whilst retaining good BOLD contrast.