Heiko Schmiedeskamp1, Samantha J. Holdsworth1, Stefan Skare1, Rexford David Newbould2, Gary H. Glover1, Roland Bammer1
1Lucas Center, Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; 2GlaxoSmithKline, London, UK
A combined gradient- and spin-echo EPI-based acquisition technique is presented for application in high-resolution BOLD-fMRI. A gradient-echo EPI readout prior to a 180 spin-echo refocusing pulse is highly sensitive to overall BOLD-signal changes, while the spin-echo readout is more confined to the microvasculature, resolving detailed maps of functional activity. The high sensitivity from gradient-echo EPI combined with high specificity through spin-echo EPI resulted in detailed maps showing more distinct areas of functional activity.