Supertemporal resolution of functional MRI timecourse data

High temporal resolution is critical in understanding the faster evolving processes in the blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) response used in functional magnetic resonance imaging. However, sampling rates faster than the T1 relaxation rate may introduce distortions of the measured BOLD signal due to spin saturation and blood inflow effects. We have developed a technique called the supertemporal resolution (STR) method that exploits the slice timing characteristics in two-dimensional echoplanar imaging in a novel way to obtain a higher sampling rate than the nominal TR allows. This method, by maintaining constant TR, increases temporal resolution without sacrificing signal-to-noise ratio and avoids distortions in the measured signal.