Investigating the field-dependence of the Davis model: Calibrated fMRI at 1.5, 3 and 7 T

Gas calibrated fMRI in its most common form uses hypercapnia in conjunction with the Davis model to quantify relative changes in the cerebral rate of oxygen consumption (CMRO(2)) in response to a functional stimulus. It is most commonly carried out at 3 T but, as 7 T research scanners are becoming more widespread and the majority of clinical scanners are still 1.5 T systems, it is important to investigate whether the model used remains accurate across this range of field strengths. Ten subjects were scanned at 1.5, 3 and 7 T whilst performing a bilateral finger-tapping task as part of a calibrated fMRI protocol, and the results were compared to a detailed signal model. Simulations predicted an increase in value and variation in the calibration parameter M with field strength. Two methods of defining experimental regions of interest (ROIs) were investigated, based on (a) BOLD signal and (b) BOLD responses within grey matter only. M values from the latter ROI were in closer agreement with theoretical predictions; however, reassuringly, ROI choice had less impact on CMRO(2) than on M estimates. Relative changes in CMRO(2) during motor tasks at 3 and 7 T were in good agreement but were over-estimated at 1.5 T as a result of the lower signal to noise ratio. This result is encouraging for future studies at 7 T, but also highlights the impact of imaging and analysis choices (such as ASL sequence and ROI definition) on the calibration parameter M and on the calculation of CMRO(2).