Publications Repository - Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf

Purpose: To determine the minimal optimal fASL sequence duration allowing steady and reproducible motor activation mapping.
Materials and methods: Three MRI sessions including fASL and BOLD fMRI sequences were performed on 12 healthy subjects at 3T with a 32-channel coil. The raw 7 min fASL sequence was truncated to obtain six fASL sequences with durations ranging from 1 to 6 min. All the resulting fASL activations were compared between themselves and with both the 7 min fASL and BOLD activations. Quantitative parameters assessed activation location (activated volume, barycenter and distance between barycenters), activation quantification (activation-related cerebral blood flow), and intra-individual reproducibility across fMRI sessions.
The statistical analysis was based on ANOVA and Tukey’s multiple comparisons.
Results: Four min fASL achieved steady location and quantification of activation with the activated volume corresponding to 81% of the 7 min fASL volume and a barycenter located 1.2 mm from the 7 min fASL barycenter and 3.0 mm from the BOLD fMRI barycenter. Four min fASL reproducibility was high and statistically equivalent to 7 min values.
Conclusion: A 4 min fASL sequence is thus a reliable tool for motor activation mapping and suitable for use in clinical practice.