A Flexible Framework of Perfusion FMRI Using Asymmetric Label and Control Acquisitions with Background Suppressed PCASL GRASE

Lirong Yan¹, Emily Kilroy¹, Danny JJ Wang¹

Perfusion fMRI using arterial spin labeling (ASL) is advantageous for quantifying perfusion both at rest and during task activation. However, it is limited by low temporal resolution and sensitivity. With pseudo-continuous ASL (pCASL) with background suppressed (BS) 3D GRASE, the temporal resolution and sensitivity of perfusion fMRI can be improved by skipping control acquisitions without compromising the quantification of cerebral blood flow. In this study, a flexible framework of perfusion fMRI was introduced by using asymmetric label and control acquisitions in pCASL with BS 3D GRASE which was validated using visual cortex stimulation.