Abstract #1542

Combined Gradient- And Spin-Echo EPI Acquisition Technique for High-Resolution FMRI

Heiko Schmiedeskamp¹, Samantha J. Holdsworth¹, Stefan Skare¹, Rexford David Newbould², Gary H. Glover¹, Roland Bammer¹

¹Lucas Center, Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; ²GlaxoSmithKline, London, UK

A combined gradient- and spin-echo EPI-based acquisition technique is presented for application in high-resolution BOLD-fMRI. A gradient-echo EPI readout prior to a 180 spin-echo refocusing pulse is highly sensitive to overall BOLD-signal changes, while the spin-echo readout is more confined to the microvasculature, resolving detailed maps of functional activity. The high sensitivity from gradient-echo EPI combined with high specificity through spin-echo EPI resulted in detailed maps showing more distinct areas of functional activity.