Imaging brain function in humans at 7 Tesla

This article describes experimental studies performed to demonstrate the fe asibility of BOLD fMRI using echo-planar imaging (EPI) at 7 T and to charac terize the BOLD response in humans at this ultrahigh magnetic field, Visual stimulation studies were performed in normal subjects using high-resolutio n multishot EPI sequences, Changes in R-2* arising from visual stimulation were experimentally determined using fMRI measurements obtained at multiple echo times, The results obtained at 7 T were compared to those at 4 T, Exp erimental data indicate that fMRI can be reliably performed at 7 T and that at this field strength both the sensitivity and spatial specificity of the BOLD response are increased. This study suggests that ultrahigh field MR s ystems are advantageous for functional mapping in humans. Magn Reson Med 45 :588-594, 2001. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.