Ultra-fast whole-brain 3D-EPI across scales: pushing high-performance gradients at 7T

Motivation: To push high-performance head gradients at 7T for two extreme ends of the spatiotemporal spectrum, namely ultra-fast and ultra-high-resolution whole-brain imaging. Goal(s): To explore exceptionally fast gradient switching times and amplitudes for most efficient imaging using highly-accelerated segmented 3D-EPI. Approach: Whole-brain time series with frame rates up to 90ms per volume (3mm isotropic resolution) and anatomical T2*-weighted images with 350 microns isotropic voxels (within 3.5 minutes) were acquired and used for venography, SWI and quantitative imaging. Results: 1.) Fast and tSNR-efficient time series acquisitions and 2.) ultra-high-resolution whole-brain anatomical images and quantitative maps are demonstrated. Impact: Utilizing highly-accelerated segmented 3D-EPI with high-performance head gradients at 7T, ultra-fast whole-brain fMRI protocols (up to 90ms per volume at 3mm isotropic) and ultra-high-resolution whole-brain anatomical/quantitative imaging with negligible motion blur (350 microns isotropic within 3.5 minutes) become possible.