Structural and Functional Looping Star MR Neuroimaging at 7T

Motivation: To establish Looping Star as a new methodology for 7T MR neuroimaging. Goal(s): To demonstrate its feasibility and effectiveness for silent structural & functional neuroimaging and showcasing its potential to advance neuroscience research. Approach: Looping Star, a ZTE-based multi-GRE method, was assessed on a 7T MRI scanner for both structural (1mm, five-TEs) and functional (3mm, two-TEs, 2.48 sec/volume) imaging, employing CG-SENSE to accelerate scanning while maintaining image quality. Results: High-resolution T2* and QSM maps were obtained, with functional imaging revealing ~5% BOLD signal changes in motor areas, all while maintaining quiet acoustic noise (<5dB relative to ambient noise). Impact: Looping Star is an innovative, new MR method for 7T neuroimaging, offering silent, 3D whole-brain multi-GRE imaging. It enables new structural and functional investigations in a quieter, more comfortable environment, ideal for advanced neuroscientific research and hyperacusis patients.