Ultrafast functional magnetic resonance imaging with MR-encephalography

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Jürgen Hennig
• Subject Area: Medical Physics, Biomedical Technology ; Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy, Radiobiology
• Term: from 2016 to 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 290467483

The proposal is aimed to the development of new ultrafast methods and technologies for functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) for direct observation of spatiotemporal neuronal processing ¿ in other words to observe the brain at work. The goal will be to achieve a new level of performance significantly beyond the currently known experimental approaches. In order to achieve this goal, new methods and technologies will have to be developed on all levels of the measurement: - the re-building of a highly integrated RF-coil array with 95 channels as a basis of the methodological development.- new measurement sequences will have to be developed in order to get beyond the limitations of current approaches. Measurement will include prospective and/or retrospective motion correction as well as realtime field monitoring to stabilize data reconstruction. - a framework of iterative reconstruction algorithms including corrections for dynamic changes (motion, field changes) as well as neuroanatomical constraints will have to be developed.- fast image reconstruction for realtime fMRI will be developed and implemented. With the newly developed methods we will perform application studies with a focus on - investigation of the physiological mechanism of resting state networks (RSNs) especially at high frequencies of up to 5 Hz, imvestigation of high frequency RSNs in volunteers and patients.- development and application of realtime feedback fMRI.- examination of spatiotemporal dynamics of interictal epileptic discharges (IEDs).- examination of dynamic processing in complex, real-life tasks.

• DFG Programme: Reinhart Koselleck Projects