This study introduces simultaneous fMRI and MRSI integrates multi-slab echo-volumar-imaging (MEVI) into the water suppression module of Proton-Echo-Planar-Spectroscopic-Imaging to simultaneously acquire fMRI, water suppressed and water reference data in a single scan (fPEPSI). FMRI image quality and BOLD sensitivity acquired with 4x4x6 mm3 resolution was comparable to our recently developed MEVI method. Spectral quality and sensitivity of 3D metabolite maps acquired with 4x4x7 mm3 resolution were comparable to conventional PEPSI. This hybrid fMRI/MRSI approach considerably reduces scan times in multi-modal clinical research studies and it is applicable to characterizing neurotransmitter and lactate concentration changes in relation to BOLD signal changes.
This abstract and the presentation materials are available to members only; a login is required.