New ultra-high resolution acquisition protocol to map whole-cerebrum resting-state networks

6th April 2022

Seong Dae Yun, Patricia Pais-Roldán, Nicola Palomero-Gallagher and N. Jon Shah

Researchers at Forschungszentrum Jülich have successfully developed a novel fMRI technique that combines echo-planar-imaging with keyhole (EPIK) with repetition-time-external (TR-external) EPI phase correction to provide a half-millimetre in-plane spatial resolution (0.51 × 0.51 × 1.00 mm³ (0.26 mm³ voxel)) with whole-cerebrum coverage for the first time.

The work, published in Human Brain Mapping, shows that the half-millimetre protocol can be used to detect activation profiles within the cortical regions and enables the identification of various resting-state networks distributed throughout the brain within a single fMRI session. The high-resolution functional images obtained further revealed mesoscale anatomical structures, such as small cerebral vessels and the internal granular layer of the cortex within the postcentral gyrus.

This development in imaging resting-state networks is anticipated to be particularly useful for investigating various neurological issues (e.g., cognitive dysfunction, psychiatric disorders, consciousness, etc.) with higher spatial precision than before. The method can also be applied to imaging young children (e.g., neonates, infants, etc.), where a fast acquisition is usually required.

Based on this development, future studies will now focus on achieving a more detailed analysis relating to depth-dependent activation.

Origional publication: Mapping of whole-cerebrum resting-state networks using ultra-high resolution acquisition protocols