Initial Results from the SPMMRC 7T MRI Scanner

1
Initial Results from the SPMMRC 7T MRI Scanner
P Wright, W Van Der Zwaag, A Peters, R Coxon, S
Francis, P Glover, P Gowland, R Bowtell and P
Morris 1Sir Peter Mansfield Magnetic Resonance
Centre, University of Nottingham, University
Park, Nottingham
Introduction

• With the growing acceptance of 3.0T magnetic
  resonance (MR) scanners in the clinical setting,
  research is turning to ultra-high field MRI.
• The new Philips 7T MR scanner allows the
  University of Nottingham to remain at the
  forefront of MR research.
• Ultra-high field gives increased signal to noise
  ratio leading to increased contrast in BOLD
  imaging, increased perfusion sensitivity and
  access to novel image contrast mechanisms.
• Technical problems associated with imaging at
  ultra high field, including image inhomogeneity
  and magnetic field distortion are now being
  tackled in partnership with the manufacturer,
  with the aim of optimising imaging sequences on
  the 7T scanner.
• Motivations behind establishing a 7T facility
  include implementation of single trial fMRI to
  study learning and adaptation as well as gaining
  access to anatomical information of exceptional
  detail within a reasonable acquisition time.

Results
T1W 3D TFE sequence with TR 19ms and TE
9.5ms. Slice thickness 1mm FOV 240mm Matrix
700/1024
T2W TSE 3D sequence with TR 3500ms and TE
10ms. Slice thickness 1mm FOV 200mm Matrix
783/1024
T2W TSE IR sequence with TR 3500ms and TE
7.2msSlice thickness 3mmFOV 240mmMatrix
277/512
Minimum intensity projection image, obtained from
3D set of heavily T2-weighted images depicting
large veins.
High concentrations of iron within deep grey
matter. Iron abnormalities here could be linked
with Alzheimer's and other similar diseases.
fMRI Images
Vibrotactile stimulus with paradigm of 8secs ON
and 20secs OFF. Activated areas overlaid on raw
EPI data with TR 2000ms and voxel size 1 x 1 x
3 mm3
SII
SI
Discussion and Conclusion

• Excellent anatomical definition has been
  obtained in image data. Sequence optimisation is
  still ongoing.
• fMRI data has been obtained using vibrotactile
  and visual stimuli has been obtained, and a field
  strength comparison of the BOLD sensitivity is
  now under way.
• Enquires from members of the IoN who have
  research projects that could benefit from high
  field imaging are most welcome.