Abstract #1578

Pseudo-Continuous Arterial Spin Labeling with Optimized Tagging Efficiency for Quantitative ASL FMRI

Youngkyoo Jung¹, Anna Leigh Rack-Gomer², Eric C. Wong^1,3, Giedrius T. Buracas¹, Thomas T. Liu¹

¹Radiology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA; ²Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA; ³Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA

Arterial spin labeling fMRI can provide quantitative measurements of functional changes in CBF that can be used either on their own or in conjunction with BOLD measures. The PCASL method offers higher SNR and therefore the potential for improved detection of activation compared to pulsed ASL. The quantification of CBF activation with PCASL has not yet been examined in detail, and may be sensitive to phase errors. Here we optimized the PCASL method by estimating and compensating the phase errors at the tagging vessels. Our result shows good agreement in quantitative CBF measures between PICORE and our optimized PCASL method.