An improved data acquisition for robust oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) mapping using an integrative model of QSM and qBOLD (QSM+qBOLD=QQ)

Oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) is critical to evaluate brain tissue viability and function in neurologic disorders. An integrated model of QSM and qBOLD (QSM+qBOLD or QQ) has been developed to map OEF utilizing a routine multi-echo gradient echo (mGRE) acquisition without impractical vascular challenges. This study proposes a novel mGRE acquisition with logarithmic echo spacing that acquires more data points in short echo time regime, which is critical to decouple the model parameters in QQ. The proposed novel mGRE provided more accurate OEF in two simulations, compared to the conventional mGRE.