Comparison of multi-echo spiral and echo planar imaging in functional MRI

Multi-echo spiral and echo-planar (EPI) imaging sequences were compared in functional imaging experiments at 3 Tesla. Both sequence types allow calculation of the effective transversal relaxation time T2∗ and the initial signal intensity I0. These parameters can be used in evaluation of the functional signal with respect to inflow effects and other vascular sources. Prior to functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) experiments T2∗ measurements in the human brain were performed with single- and multi-echo FLASH (fast low angle shot) and compared with EPI und spiral imaging sequences. These experiments resulted in T2∗ values ranging from 42.9 to 53.8 ms in a ROI including white and gray matter and CSF in a prefrontal brain region, and allowed validation of the quantitative results of the fast single-shot techniques. In functional experiments with motor stimulation mean absolute T2∗ increases during stimulation of 1.1 ± 0.6 ms and 1.4 ± 0.9 ms were found with multi-echo EPI and spiral imaging, respectively, averaged over the activated pixels. In addition, absolute T2∗ values and the size of activated areas obtained with both sequences are comparable. In these investigations spiral imaging allowed higher spatial resolution due to more efficient use of available gradient performance.