Whole Brain Simultaneous MultiSlice Filter EXchange Imaging in less than 15 minutes: Initial Results

Filter EXchange Imaging (FEXI) is sensitive to the rate of diffusional water exchange, which depends among other factors on the cell membrane permeability. FEXI maps the so-called apparent exchange rate (AXR), however, previous FEXI protocols were limited to few slices because of very long acquisition times. In this proof-of-concept work, Simultaneous MultiSlice was included in the FEXI sequence and with protocol optimization allowed for a 12-minute whole-brain scan. FEXI accelerated with or without SMS showed similar AXR values.