Sparse and continuous sampling approaches to fMRI of overt vocalization tasks

Sparse temporal sampling has become the dominant paradigm for functional magnetic resonance imaging studies of auditory stimuli or verbal responses, as it allows the presentation or production of stimuli during the relatively quiet periods when there is no gradient switching and ensures that task-re...

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Main Authors: Dawn L. Merrett, Chris Tailby, David F. Abbott, Graeme D. Jackson, Sarah J. Wilson
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2021-12-01
Series:NeuroImage: Reports
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666956021000489
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author Dawn L. Merrett
Chris Tailby
David F. Abbott
Graeme D. Jackson
Sarah J. Wilson
author_facet Dawn L. Merrett
Chris Tailby
David F. Abbott
Graeme D. Jackson
Sarah J. Wilson
author_sort Dawn L. Merrett
collection DOAJ
description Sparse temporal sampling has become the dominant paradigm for functional magnetic resonance imaging studies of auditory stimuli or verbal responses, as it allows the presentation or production of stimuli during the relatively quiet periods when there is no gradient switching and ensures that task-related movements are not occurring during scan acquisitions. To date, however, there has been no direct comparison between sparse and continuous acquisition protocols for overt auditory-verbal studies (i.e., speaking or singing). The aim of this study was to determine whether sparse temporal sampling would reduce movement artefacts and show better network activation for overt singing compared to continuous imaging. Fifteen healthy adults performed the same overt singing task under both sparse and continuous scanning conditions. We noted significant variations in signal intensity between adjacent slices in our sparse acquisition, with (odd-numbered) slices acquired in the second half of each volume acquisition being of lower intensity and showing less reliable task-related activation, and thus requiring the removal of these slices prior to preprocessing. Edge artefacts, presumably due to movement, were observed in both acquisition types at a subthreshold level, although ventricular space artefacts were more apparent in the continuous data. However, statistical comparison revealed no significant differences in functional activation nor in motion correction parameters. Our results show that sparse imaging has the potential to introduce significant image artefacts affecting downstream analyses. While sparse sampling provides benefits that may be essential for certain studies (e.g., periods free from scanner noise), the technical requirements of such sequences should not be overlooked and inspection of raw data is essential. Our data also show that continuous imaging can be used for overt response auditory-verbal studies and may be of wider utility than previously appreciated.
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spelling doaj-art-ac2ad5f60b5844e899d1f2c9c201b8f62025-08-20T02:00:39ZengElsevierNeuroImage: Reports2666-95602021-12-011410005010.1016/j.ynirp.2021.100050Sparse and continuous sampling approaches to fMRI of overt vocalization tasksDawn L. Merrett0Chris Tailby1David F. Abbott2Graeme D. Jackson3Sarah J. Wilson4Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, 12th Floor Redmond Barry Building, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia; Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, 245 Burgundy Street, Heidelberg, Victoria, 3084, Australia; Corresponding author. BRAMS / UdeM – FAS – Department of Psychology, CP 6128, succ. Centre-ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada.Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, 12th Floor Redmond Barry Building, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia; Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, 245 Burgundy Street, Heidelberg, Victoria, 3084, AustraliaFlorey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, 245 Burgundy Street, Heidelberg, Victoria, 3084, Australia; Department of Medicine - Austin Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3084, AustraliaFlorey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, 245 Burgundy Street, Heidelberg, Victoria, 3084, Australia; Department of Medicine - Austin Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3084, AustraliaMelbourne School of Psychological Sciences, 12th Floor Redmond Barry Building, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, AustraliaSparse temporal sampling has become the dominant paradigm for functional magnetic resonance imaging studies of auditory stimuli or verbal responses, as it allows the presentation or production of stimuli during the relatively quiet periods when there is no gradient switching and ensures that task-related movements are not occurring during scan acquisitions. To date, however, there has been no direct comparison between sparse and continuous acquisition protocols for overt auditory-verbal studies (i.e., speaking or singing). The aim of this study was to determine whether sparse temporal sampling would reduce movement artefacts and show better network activation for overt singing compared to continuous imaging. Fifteen healthy adults performed the same overt singing task under both sparse and continuous scanning conditions. We noted significant variations in signal intensity between adjacent slices in our sparse acquisition, with (odd-numbered) slices acquired in the second half of each volume acquisition being of lower intensity and showing less reliable task-related activation, and thus requiring the removal of these slices prior to preprocessing. Edge artefacts, presumably due to movement, were observed in both acquisition types at a subthreshold level, although ventricular space artefacts were more apparent in the continuous data. However, statistical comparison revealed no significant differences in functional activation nor in motion correction parameters. Our results show that sparse imaging has the potential to introduce significant image artefacts affecting downstream analyses. While sparse sampling provides benefits that may be essential for certain studies (e.g., periods free from scanner noise), the technical requirements of such sequences should not be overlooked and inspection of raw data is essential. Our data also show that continuous imaging can be used for overt response auditory-verbal studies and may be of wider utility than previously appreciated.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666956021000489fMRISparse temporal samplingAuditory imagingSingingOvert response
spellingShingle Dawn L. Merrett
Chris Tailby
David F. Abbott
Graeme D. Jackson
Sarah J. Wilson
Sparse and continuous sampling approaches to fMRI of overt vocalization tasks
NeuroImage: Reports
fMRI
Sparse temporal sampling
Auditory imaging
Singing
Overt response
title Sparse and continuous sampling approaches to fMRI of overt vocalization tasks
title_full Sparse and continuous sampling approaches to fMRI of overt vocalization tasks
title_fullStr Sparse and continuous sampling approaches to fMRI of overt vocalization tasks
title_full_unstemmed Sparse and continuous sampling approaches to fMRI of overt vocalization tasks
title_short Sparse and continuous sampling approaches to fMRI of overt vocalization tasks
title_sort sparse and continuous sampling approaches to fmri of overt vocalization tasks
topic fMRI
Sparse temporal sampling
Auditory imaging
Singing
Overt response
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666956021000489
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