Review of Submillimeter fMRI Acquisition Techniques for the Detection of Laminar and Columnar Level Brain Activation
Seong Dae Yun, Fabian Küppers , N. Jon Shah
8th February 2024
In the field of neuroimaging, functional MRI (fMRI) has evolved significantly since its inception in the early 1990s. Recent advancements now allow for the acquisition of functional signals at a submillimetre voxel size, presenting a breakthrough in understanding cortical depth-dependent neural activities in relation to cortical depths or columns. This progress has spurred the development of specialized fMRI techniques to enhance sensitivity and spatial specificity in detecting brain activation.
This new review paper assesses submillimetre fMRI techniques, examining their advantages, drawbacks, and potential supplementary imaging methods for more precise brain mapping. The paper underscores the absence of a one-size-fits-all approach, emphasizing the need to tailor functional contrast and imaging techniques to suit specific research objectives.
While acknowledging the current technical constraints limiting submillimetre fMRI studies to partial brain regions, the review points towards future strides in enhancing spatiotemporal resolution. The figure below highlights superior accuracy in localising neural activities, achieved through submillimetre fMRI techniques. This result suggests the necessity of ultra-high resolution fMRI techniques, essential for realising the ultimate goal pursued by the fMRI community, i.e. comprehensive mapping whole-brain function and uncovering deeper insights into brain function and connectivity.
This review paper offers a comprehensive overview of the current state and future prospects of cortical depth-dependent fMRI, providing valuable insights for researchers and practitioners in neuroscience and neuroimaging.
Results of visual task-fMRI obtained with (a) 3.13 × 3.13 mm2 and (b) 0.73 × 0.73 mm2, demonstrating precise mapping of functional signals along the cortical ribbon, using a submillimetre fMRI technique.
Origional publication: Submillimeter fMRI Acquisition Techniques for Detection of Laminar and Columnar Level Brain Activation