Magnetic field distribution and signal decay in functional mri in very high fields (up to 9.4 T) using monte carlo diffusion modeling.

Extravascular signal decay rate R2 or R2 * as a function of blood oxygenation, geometry, and field strength was calculated using a Monte Carlo (MC) algorithm for a wider parameter range than hitherto by others. The relaxation rates of gradient-recalled-echo (GRE) and Hahn-spin-echo (HSE) imaging in the presence of blood vessels (ranging from capillaries to veins) have been computed for a wide range of field strengths up to 9.4T and 50% blood deoxygenation.