Multi-Parametric Classification of FMRI-Activated Voxels Using Venous Vessel-Size, BOLD Latency and Susceptibility-Weighted Imaging

Thies H. Jochimsen¹, Harald E. Mller¹

Several strategies to increase the spatial specifity of BOLD-based fMRI by excluding the signal of large veins were combined into a single set of experiments in order compare their effectiveness. In particular, the BOLD latency, venographic intensity and venous vessel size of activated voxels was analyzed using a cluster and correlation analysis. The relatively good mutual correlation of venous vessel size, latency and venographic intensity suggests that these parameters can be used equally well to discriminate large veins.