Abstract #3721

Optimization of EPI protocols for maximum BOLD sensitivity through numerical simulations

Steffen Volz¹, Martina F. Callaghan¹, Oliver Josephs¹, and Nikolaus Weiskopf^1,2

¹Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging, UCL Institute of Neurology, UCL, London, United Kingdom, ²Department of Neurophysics, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany

fMRI studies can suffer substantially from BOLD sensitivity loss due to susceptibility-related magnetic field inhomogeneities. We developed an automated algorithm for optimising arbitrary EPI protocols with respect to BOLD sensitivity based on numerical simulations and a multi-subject field map database, saving time and expensive measurements. In contrast to previous experimental optimization approaches that were limited e.g. to z-shim, gradient polarity and slice tilt for a specific EPI protocol, this algorithm optimizes on a larger parameter space including resolution, echo time and slice orientation. Results were compared to earlier experimental approaches and verified by BOLD sensitivity measurements in healthy volunteers.

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