Comparing resting state fMRI de-noising approaches using multi- and single-echo acquisitions

PLoS One. 2017 Mar 21;12(3):e0173289. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0173289. eCollection 2017.

Abstract

Artifact removal in resting state fMRI (rfMRI) data remains a serious challenge, with even subtle head motion undermining reliability and reproducibility. Here we compared some of the most popular single-echo de-noising methods-regression of Motion parameters, White matter and Cerebrospinal fluid signals (MWC method), FMRIB's ICA-based X-noiseifier (FIX) and ICA-based Automatic Removal Of Motion Artifacts (ICA-AROMA)-with a multi-echo approach (ME-ICA) that exploits the linear dependency of BOLD on the echo time. Data were acquired using a clinical scanner and included 30 young, healthy participants (minimal head motion) and 30 Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder patients (greater head motion). De-noising effectiveness was assessed in terms of data quality after each cleanup procedure, ability to uncouple BOLD signal and motion and preservation of default mode network (DMN) functional connectivity. Most cleaning methods showed a positive impact on data quality. However, based on the investigated metrics, ME-ICA was the most robust. It minimized the impact of motion on FC even for high motion participants and preserved DMN functional connectivity structure. The high-quality results obtained using ME-ICA suggest that using a multi-echo EPI sequence, reliable rfMRI data can be obtained in a clinical setting.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Artifacts*
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / diagnostic imaging
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / physiopathology
  • Brain / diagnostic imaging*
  • Brain / physiology
  • Brain / physiopathology
  • Cerebrovascular Circulation / physiology
  • Female
  • Head Movements*
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Linear Models
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Male
  • Oxygen / blood
  • Rest

Substances

  • Oxygen

Grants and funding

The authors received no specific funding for this work.