• Jiongjiong Wang, Lin Li, Anne C Roc, David C Alsop, Kathy Tang, Norman S Butler, Mitchell D Schnall, and John A Detre.
• Metabolic Magnetic Resonance Research & Computing Center, Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA. jwan@rad.upenn.edu
• Magn Reson Imaging. 2004 Jan 1; 22 (1): 1-7.

AbstractArterial spin labeling (ASL) perfusion contrast is not based on susceptibility effects and can therefore be used to study brain function in regions of high static inhomogeneity. As a proof of concept, single-shot spin-echo echo-planar imaging (EPI) acquisition was carried out with a multislice continuous ASL (CASL) method at 1.5T. A bilateral finger tapping paradigm was used in the presence of an exogenously induced susceptibility artifact over left motor cortex. The spin-echo CASL technique was compared with a regular gradient-echo EPI sequence with the same slice thickness, as well as other imaging methods using thin slices and spin-echo acquisitions. The results demonstrate improved functional sensitivity and efficiency of the spin-echo CASL approach as compared with gradient-echo EPI techniques, and a trend of improved sensitivity as compared with spin-echo EPI approach in the brain regions affected by the susceptibility artifact. ASL images, either with or without subtraction of the control, provide a robust alternative to blood oxygenation level dependant (BOLD) methods for activation imaging in regions of high static field inhomogeneity.

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