Echo Time Dependence of Resting Signal Fluctuations in USPIO Based Cerebral Blood Volume Imaging: Implications for Task-Based and Resting State fMRI

Deqiang Qiu¹, Greg Zaharchuk¹, Thomas Christen¹, Wendy W. Ni¹, Michael E. Moseley¹

In this study, we characterize the noise behaviour of post contrast fMRI (termed ICE-BVI) using the ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron particle (USPIO) under different echo times and static SNR. The result is useful in guiding study designs in task based and resting state ICE-BVI. It suggests that higher resolution task based ICE-BVI can be achieved without significantly sacrificing sensitivity, and that effective methods for reducing physiological noises are important for resting state ICE-BVI for studying functional connectivity.