Functional imaging with the BOLD contrast is an essential tool to investigate human brain functions, however the contribution of thermal noise compromises the signal, particularly at higher resolutions. A recently developed technique, NORDIC, aims to suppress this noise source. Here we show that NORDIC produces data with substantially higher signal-to-noise and functional contrast to noise ratios, resulting in improved detection of functional activation with no change in spatial precision. One run of denoised data is equivalent to combining 3 to 5 runs of conventional data. These effects create new opportunities for functional neuroimaging, while reducing participant or patient burden.
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