PRESTO-SENSE: An ultrafast whole-brain fMRI technique

A new ultrafast MR imaging method is proposed and tested, which enables who le-brain fMRI with a true temporal resolution of 1 sec. The method combines a 3D PRESTO pulse sequence with the concept of sensitivity-encoding with m ultiple receiver coils (SENSE), The so-called PRESTO-SENSE technique is dem onstrated on a set of functional block-type motor and visual experiments an d compared with conventional functional imaging techniques, such as PRESTO and EPI. Comparable image quality and activation areas are found with all s equences. The noise characteristics of the proposed method are analyzed in detail and their implications for ultrafast fMRI studies are discussed. Mag n Reson Med 43:779-786, 2000. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.