Statistical power comparisons at 3T and 7T with a GO / NOGO task

Neuroimage. 2018 Jul 15:175:100-110. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2018.03.071. Epub 2018 Apr 3.

Abstract

The field of cognitive neuroscience is weighing evidence about whether to move from standard field strength to ultra-high field (UHF). The present study contributes to the evidence by comparing a cognitive neuroscience paradigm at 3 Tesla (3T) and 7 Tesla (7T). The goal was to test and demonstrate the practical effects of field strength on a standard GO/NOGO task using accessible preprocessing and analysis tools. Two independent matched healthy samples (N = 31 each) were analyzed at 3T and 7T. Results show gains at 7T in statistical strength, the detection of smaller effects and group-level power. With an increased availability of UHF scanners, these gains may be exploited by cognitive neuroscientists and other neuroimaging researchers to develop more efficient or comprehensive experimental designs and, given the same sample size, achieve greater statistical power at 7T.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00047853.

Keywords: 7 Tesla; Cognitive neuroscience; Group studies; UHF.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain / physiology*
  • Data Interpretation, Statistical*
  • Executive Function / physiology*
  • Functional Neuroimaging / methods*
  • Functional Neuroimaging / standards
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / standards

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT00047853