Using TE-Dependent Analysis for Multi-Echo fMRI Analysis of the Fetal Brain

Motivation: fMRI of the fetus in the womb must overcome the challenges of fetal motion and heterogeneous tissue boundaries. Multi-Echo fMRI reduces signal dropout and thermal noise, improving contrast-to-noise ratio of the BOLD signal. This can produce higher quality fetal MRI and allow adequate functional assessment of fetal brain development. Goal(s): This study aims to denoise ME-fMRI of the fetal brain with TE-dependent analysis (tedana) in a subset of 10 cases (gestational age >35weeks). Approach: Multi-echo gradient echo EPI scans were acquired in 80 fetuses. The fetal brain is segmented and passed to the analysis. Results: Credible BOLD components are successfully identified using tedana. Impact: TE-dependent analysis denoises ME-fMRI data of fetuses which undergo motion during scanning and contain heterogeneous tissue boundaries. This study assesses capabilities of ME-fMRI analysis to determine BOLD components in the fetal brain,paving the way for future research and clinical usage.