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Updated: Apr 12, 2026
Targeting Neuronal Fiber Tracts for Deep Brain Stimulation Therapy Using Interactive, Patient-Specific Models
Published on: August 12, 2018
Enhancing 7T MRI for deep brain stimulation with deep-learning based image reconstruction and dynamic parallel
Justyna O Ekert1, Vishal Patel1, Xiangzhi Zhou1
1Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA.
Objective:
Precise targeting of subcortical structures is crucial for deep brain stimulation (DBS). Although 7T MRI provides superior resolution and contrast, its clinical adoption remains limited by B1+ transmit inhomogeneity, prolonged scan times, and motion sensitivity. This study applied deep learning (DL)-based image reconstruction and dynamic parallel transmission (pTx) to optimize DBS protocols and improve image quality.
Methods:
Thirteen patients scanned using a conventional 7T DBS protocol were compared to 13 imaged after implementing DL reconstruction and dynamic pTx. Two readers scored image quality, motion artifact, and target conspicuity on 5-point Likert scales. Ordinal logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (OR) for improvements with the enhanced protocol, adjusted for multiple comparisons.
Results:
Enhanced MP2RAGE reduced voxel volume by 65.8% and scan time by 32.9%, with improved image quality (OR = 4.4;p = 0.003), target conspicuity (OR = 3.4;p = 0.011), and reduced motion artifacts (OR = 3.8;p = 0.006). Fast gray matter acquisition T1 inversion recovery (FGATIR) scan time decreased by 45.2% with improved target delineation of both globus pallidus interna (OR = 22.9;p < 0.001) and dentato-rubro-thalamic tract (OR = 8.8;p < 0.001). T2-weighted sampling perfection with application-optimized contrasts using different flip angle evolutions (SPACE) improved subthalamic nucleus (STN) delineation (OR = 25.3;p < 0.001). Susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) improved image quality (OR = 17.4;p < 0.001), STN delineation (OR = 16.9;p < 0.001), and reduced scan time by 42.6%. Enhanced 3D spoiled gradient recall echo improved image quality (OR = 17.4;p < 0.001) and vessel visualization (OR = 26.1;p < 0.001) with reduced motion artifact (OR = 8.8;p < 0.001). Scan time decreased from 4:33 to 1:35, reducing protocol duration from 42:16 to 26:40 (36.9%).
Conclusions:
DL reconstruction and dynamic pTx improved image quality, target definition, and motion robustness while shortening 7T DBS protocol time.
