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Potential Impact of a 32-Channel Receiving Head Coil Technology on the Results of a Functional MRI Paradigm

Potentieller Einfluss einer 32-Kanal-Empfangsspulen-Technologie auf die Ergebnisse eines funktionellen MRT-Paradigmas

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Abstract

Purpose

The authors investigated the potential of a 32-channel (32ch) receiving head coil for functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) compared to a standard eight-channel (8ch) coil using a motor task.

Material and Methods

Brain activation was analyzed in 14 healthy right-handed subjects performing finger tapping with the right index finger (block design) during two experimental sessions, one with the 8ch and one with the 32ch coil (applied in a pseudorandomized order). Additionally, a phantom study was performed to compare signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) of both coils.

Results

During both fMRI sessions, analysis of motor conditions resulted in an activation of the left “hand knob” (precentral gyrus). Application of the 32ch coil obtained additional activation clusters in the right cerebellum, left superior frontal gyrus (SMA), left supramarginal gyrus, and left postcentral gyrus. The phantom study revealed a significantly higher SNR for the 32ch coil compared to the 8ch coil in superficial cortical areas located near the surface of the brain.

Conclusion

The 32ch technology has a potential impact on fMRI studies, especially in paradigms that result in activation of cortical areas located near the surface of the brain.

Zusammenfassung

Ziel

In diesem Artikel wurde der Einfluss einer 32-Kanal-Empfangsspule im Vergleich zu einer Acht-Kanal-Standardspule auf die Ergebnisse einer funktionellen Magnetresonanztomographie-(fMRT-)Studie, in der ein motorisches Paradigma genutzt wurde, untersucht.

Material und Methodik

Die Hirnaktivierung von 14 gesunden Rechtshändern, die eine Fingertapping-Aufgabe mit dem rechten Zeigefinger (Blockdesign) ausführten, wurde während zweier experimenteller Durchläufe in pseudorandomisierter Abfolge untersucht. Während eines Durchlaufs wurde eine 32-Kanal-Spule, während eines zweiten Durchlaufs eine Acht-Kanal-Spule benutzt. Außerdem wurde eine Phantomstudie durchgeführt, um das Signal-Rausch-Verhältnis beider Empfangsspulen zu vergleichen.

Ergebnisse

Die Analyse der Motorbedingung während beider Durchläufe resultierte in einer Aktivierung des linken Handareals (Gyrus praecentralis). Die Verwendung der 32-Kanal-Spule resultierte in einer Aktivierung von zusätzlichen Hirnarealen wie dem rechten Cerebellum, linken Gyrus frontalis superior (SMA), linken Gyrus supramarginalis und linken Gyrus postcentralis. Die Phantomstudie zeigte ein signifikant höheres Signal-Rausch-Verhältnis in Arealen nahe der Hirnoberfläche für die 32-Kanal-Spule im Vergleich zur Acht-Kanal-Spule.

Schlussfolgerung

Die 32-Kanal-Empfangsspulen-Technologie hat einen potentiellen Einfluss auf die Ergebnisse von fMRT-Studien, im Speziellen auf Paradigmen, die in Hirnaktivierung von kortikalen Arealen nahe der Hirnoberfläche resultieren.

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Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that there is no actual or potential conflict of interest in relation to this article.

The 8ch and the 32ch coil were provided by GE Healthcare, Solingen, Germany. The authors who were not employees of GE Healthcare had full control of inclusion of any data and information that might have presented a conflict of interest for those authors who were employees of GE Healthcare at every time point of the study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neuroradiology, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany

    J. Albrecht, K. Haegler, V. Schöpf, A. M. Kleemann, M. Paolini, M. Wiesmann & J. Linn

  2. GE Healthcare, Solingen, Germany

    M. Burke

  3. Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, RWTH, Aachen, Germany

    M. Wiesmann

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  1. J. Albrecht
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  2. M. Burke
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Correspondence to J. Albrecht.

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Albrecht, J., Burke, M., Haegler, K. et al. Potential Impact of a 32-Channel Receiving Head Coil Technology on the Results of a Functional MRI Paradigm. Clin Neuroradiol 20, 223–229 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00062-010-0029-2

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