3‐dimensional functional imaging of human brain using echo‐shifted FLASH MRI

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Abstract
A 3‐dimensional MRI method has been developed for functional mapping of the human brain, based on blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) contrast mechanisms. The method uses recently introduced principles of echo‐shifted FLASH to acquire a single 3D data set in 20 s. The technique was tested on a conventional 1.5 Tesla clinical scanner with a standard head coil using visual stimulation with a 8 Hz flashing white light, or a varying checkerboard pattern. Areas of increased signal intensity were identified in the visual cortex, consistent with the known functional organization.