Abstract #2573

Multi-Echo fMRI Analysis of the Fetal Brain at 0.55T

Janina Schellenberg¹, Kelly Payette^2,3,4, Alena Uus^3,4, Megan Hall^3,4,5, Lisa Story^3,4,5, Afra Wohlschläger^1,6, and Jana Hutter^3,4,7

¹Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany, Munich, Germany, ²Center for MR-Research, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland, Zurich, Switzerland, ³Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, KCL, London, UK, London, United Kingdom, ⁴Department of Early Life Imaging, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences,, KCL, London, UK, London, United Kingdom, ⁵Women’s Health, GSTT, London, UK, London, United Kingdom, ⁶Department of Neuroradiology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Munich, Germany, Munich, Germany, ⁷Smart Imaging Lab, Radiological Institute, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany, Erlangen, Germany

Synopsis

Keywords: Fetal, fMRI Analysis, Multi-Echo

Motivation: Low field MRI carries essential benefits such as reduced distortions for fetal MRI. But reduced SNR is a key problem particularly for fMRI, dependent on a sufficient BOLD-signal. Using multiple echoes may compensate for reduced SNR, improving the available BOLD-signal for fMRI. This can yield higher-quality fetal MRI and facilitate enhanced functional assessment of fetal neurodevelopment.

Goal(s): This study extends the SVRTK-pipeline for automated 3D-T2*-reconstructions to include ME-fMRI.

Approach: Multi-echo-gradient-EPI scans were obtained at 0.55T from 250 fetuses and processed through the pipeline.

Results: Automated spatiotemporal alignment and labeling of the fetal brain was successfully performed, enabling subsequent ME-fMRI to identify independent components.

Impact: The reduced SNR for fMRI at 0.55T can be compensated by ME-fMRI. This study explores the feasibility of ME-fMRI of the fetal brain, paving the way for future research and clinical usage.

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