Functional magnetic resonance tomography of the basal ganglia. Use of FLASH sequences for mapping activity with BOLD contrast ane high resolution

: The activation pattern of putamen, internal and external division of globus pallidus was investigated during rapid pronation and supination of the right and left hand in 12 normal volunteers using a FLASH sequence with high resolution for functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) at 1.5 T. The chosen paradigm for motor function led to a signal increase within the basal ganglia between 3 and 23%, depending on the structure and individual subject. In all cases significant activation could be found contralateral to the moving hand. In six cases activation was also found on the ipsilateral side. The activated areas within putamen, internal and external division of globus pallidus were less than 5 mm2. These first results indicate that fMRI studies of basal ganglia are feasible and might be suitable for analyzing basal ganglia disorders.