Hybrid auditory fMRI: In pursuit of increasing data acquisition while decreasing the impact of scanner noise

Background Two challenges in auditory fMRI include the loud scanner noise during sound presentation and slow data acquisition. Here, we introduce a new auditory imaging protocol, termed “hybrid”, that alleviates these obstacles. New method We designed a within-subject experiment (N = 14) wherein language-driven activity was measured by hybrid, interleaved silent (ISSS), and continuous multiband acquisition. To determine the advantage of noise attenuation during sound presentation, hybrid was compared to multiband. To identify the benefits of increased temporal resolution, hybrid was compared to ISSS. Data were evaluated by whole-brain univariate general linear modeling (GLM) and multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA). Results Comparison with existing methods:•Hybrid vs. Multiband: in both GLM and MVPA, hybrid showed widespread activation throughout the language network including the left inferior frontal gyrus, bilateral superior temporal regions, thalamus, and inferior colliculus. By contrast, multiband showed activity mostly within the left frontotemporal cortices.•Hybrid vs. ISSS: in MVPA, hybrid yielded more activation than ISSS throughout the language network. However, in GLM, hybrid detected less activation than ISSS. Despite the reduction of activation, hybrid more specifically detected activity in the canonical language network compared to ISSS. Conclusions Our data revealed that hybrid imaging restored neural activity in the canonical language network that was absent due to the loud noise or slow sampling in the conventional imaging protocols. With its noise-attenuated sound presentation windows and increased acquisition speed, the hybrid protocol is well-suited for auditory fMRI research tracking neural activity pertaining to fast, time-varying acoustic events.