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Quality Assessment of Task-Based fMRI Data Obtained Using Single-Echo and Multi-Echo Sequences

Poster Session C - Sunday, March 8, 2026, 5:00 – 7:00 pm PDT, Fairview/Kitsilano Ballroom

John Shahki^1,2 (), Mariana Mascarenhas^1,2, Abhijit Chinchani^1,2, Laura Barlow¹, Elham Shahinfard¹, Vesna Sossi¹, Irene Vavasour¹, Ellen Chen¹, Solana Redway^1,2, Dolphin Chan^1,2, Erica Zeng^1,2, Ava Momeni^1,2, Todd S. Woodward^1,2; ¹University of British Columbia, Canada, ²BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services Research Institute, Canada

Introduction: Multi-echo (ME) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is an emerging technique that aims to address signal dropout in regions with high magnetic susceptibility, such as the orbitofrontal cortex and medical temporal cortex. As opposed to single-echo acquisition, ME acquisition involves acquiring multiple volumes within a single repetition time, which can allow for recovery of signal dropout in these regions using optimal echo combination. Objectives: This study aims to determine the quality of task-based fMRI data acquired through single-echo and ME sequences using two image quality metrics (IQM): (1) temporal signal to noise ratio (tSNR), and (2) a novel Z-score technique that assesses quality by comparing against a set of hypothesized patterns. Methods: The Scanned Working Memory (SCANME) task was employed and included 20 healthy controls who underwent fMRI scanning. The fMRI data was preprocessed using Statistical Parametric Mapping 12. Following preprocessing, Constrained Principal Component Analysis for fMRI (fMRI-CPCA) was utilized to retrieve networks, and IQMs were calculated afterwards. Results: An inverse relationship was observed between tSNR and the novel Z-score technique. While longer echo times were associated with lower tSNRs, the average Z-scores were higher, indicating better network quality. Conclusions: While tSNR allows for a quick and easy method of obtaining IQMs, the novel Z-score technique may allow for a more accurate and in-depth determination of task-based fMRI data quality. Our future work is now employing this novel IQM to determine the quality of task-based fMRI data obtained using single band sequences versus multiband acceleration.

Topic Area: METHODS: Neuroimaging