Evaluation of slice accelerations using multiband echo planar imaging at 3T

We evaluate residual aliasing among simultaneously excited and acquired slices in slice accelerated multiband (MB) echo planar imaging (EPI). No in-plane accelerations were used in order to maximize and evaluate achievable slice acceleration factors at 3T. We propose a novel leakage (L-) factor to quantify the effects of signal leakage between simultaneously acquired slices. With a standard 32-channel receiver coil at 3T, we demonstrate that slice acceleration factors of up to eight (MB=8) with blipped controlled aliasing in parallel imaging (CAIPI), in the absence of in-plane accelerations, can be used routinely with acceptable image quality and integrity for whole brain imaging. Spectral analyses of single-shot fMRI time series demonstrate that temporal fluctuations due to both neuronal and physiological sources were distinguishable and comparable up to slice-acceleration factors of nine (MB=9). The increased temporal efficiency could be employed to achieve, within a given acquisition period, higher spatial resolution, increased fMRI statistical power, multiple TEs, faster sampling of temporal events in a resting state fMRI time series, increased sampling of q-space in diffusion imaging, or more quiet time during a scan. [Display omitted] •High slice accelerations using multiband (MB) GRE-EPI with blipped CAIPI.•Acceptable MB factors up to 8 with a 32-channel receiver coil at 3T.•Neuronal and physiological sources are distinguishable at high MB factors.•Leakage (L-) factor evaluates residual aliasing among simultaneously acquired slices.•High temporal efficiency with MB-EPI benefits various applications.