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Abstract #0822

Using TE-Dependent Analysis for Multi-Echo fMRI Analysis of the Fetal Brain

Janina Schellenberg1, Megan Hall2,3,4, Lisa Story2,3,4, Afra Wohlschläger1,5, and Jana Hutter2,3,6
1Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany, 2Biomedical Engineering, King's College London, London, United Kingdom, 3Centre for the Developing Brain, King's College London, London, United Kingdom, 4Women’s Health, Guy's & St.Thomas' Hospital, London, United Kingdom, 5Department of Neuroradiology and TUM-NIC, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Munich, Germany, 6Smart Imaging Lab, Radiological Institute, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany

Synopsis

Keywords: Fetal, Brain, Multi-Echo Analysis

Motivation: fMRI of the fetus in the womb must overcome the challenges of fetal motion and heterogeneous tissue boundaries. Multi-Echo fMRI reduces signal dropout and thermal noise, improving contrast-to-noise ratio of the BOLD signal. This can produce higher quality fetal MRI and allow adequate functional assessment of fetal brain development.

Goal(s): This study aims to denoise ME-fMRI of the fetal brain with TE-dependent analysis (tedana) in a subset of 10 cases (gestational age >35weeks).

Approach: Multi-echo gradient echo EPI scans were acquired in 80 fetuses. The fetal brain is segmented and passed to the analysis.

Results: Credible BOLD components are successfully identified using tedana.

Impact: TE-dependent analysis denoises ME-fMRI data of fetuses which undergo motion during scanning and contain heterogeneous tissue boundaries. This study assesses capabilities of ME-fMRI analysis to determine BOLD components in the fetal brain,paving the way for future research and clinical usage.

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Keywords