Real-time adaptive functional MRI

Adaptively limiting image acquisition to areas of interest will allow more efficient data acquisition time for in-depth characterization of areas of b rain activation. We designed and implemented an adaptive image acquisition scheme that uses a multiresolution-based strategy to zoom into the regions of cortical activity. Real-time pulse prescription and data processing capa bilities were combined with spatially selective radiofrequency encoding. Th e method was successfully demonstrated in volunteers performing simple sens orimotor paradigms for simultaneous activation of primary motor and cerebel lar areas. We believe that real-time adaptation of spatial and temporal sam pling to task-related changes will increase the efficiency and flexibility of functional mapping experiments. Contrast-to-noise analysis in selected r egions-of-interest was performed to quantitatively assess the multiresoluti on adaptive approach. (C) 1999 Academic Press.