Functional line-scanning of cortical layers at 3T and 7T

Motivation: Recently, line-scanning fMRI has been used to map laminar BOLD response, because it can enhance spatial resolution to sub-millimetre with sub-second TR. Some animal studies at high field scanner have been reported. Goal(s): Line-scan scheme that can keep thin line profiles and provide multi T2* relaxed conditions for BOLD signal measuring is requested for layer fMRI. Approach: We developed a multi-shot spin echo EPI based line-scan scheme with a readout train after spin echo time. Results: Our 1D line-scanning finger tapping/grabbing fMRI results show the capability of this sequence to study differences in cortical layers in the human cortex. Impact: The proposed line-scanning sequence can detect different BOLD response at different layers at M1/S1 in high resolution fMRI studies at 3T and 7T