[CBIAnnounce] Decision-Making Joint Lab Meeting - high resolution MRI

[Pablo Velasco]

Dear CBI community,

This talk might be of interest.

-Pablo

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Navah Rosenbaum <navah at nyu.edu>
> Date: January 22, 2013 12:02:50 PM EST
> To: Jennifer Mangan <js3594 at nyu.edu>, pablo.velasco at nyu.edu
> Subject: Speaker that May be of Interest to CBI
> 
> 
> 
> Decision-Making Joint Lab Meeting
> Date: Wednesday, 1/23
> Time: 12:30 PM
> Location: Rm 815
> 
> Speaker: Jan Zimmermann from Maastricht University
> 
> Title: High resolution functional imaging at ultra-high field strength. Challenges and new perspectives for hemodynamic brain signals
> 
> Abstract:
> With the advent of high-resolution functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) at high fields, new possibilities have emerged that may pave the way for a better understanding of human brain function. Ultra high fields (7T and above) allow functional imaging with high contrast-to-noise ratios and improved spatial resolution. This, along with improved hardware and imaging techniques, allow investigating columnar and laminar functional responses. Using gradient-echo (GE) (T2* weighted) based sequences, layer specific responses have been recorded from human (and animal) primary visual areas. However, their increased sensitivity to large surface veins potentially clouds detecting and interpreting layer specific responses. Conversely, spin-echo (SE) (T2 weighted) sequences are less sensitive to large veins and have been used to map cortical columns in humans. T2 weighted 3D GRASE with inner volume selection provides high isotropic resolution over extended volumes, overcoming some of the many technical limitations of conventional 2D SE-EPI, whereby making layer specific investigations feasible. Further, the demonstration of columnar level specificity with 3D GRASE, despite contributions from both stimulated echoes and conventional T2 contrast, has made it an attractive alternative over 2D SE-EPI. Understanding the physiological bases of the hemodynamic system as assessed with different sequences and field strength thus becomes crucial in interpreting the results of any hemodynamic imaging experiment.

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