Factors Affecting Spatial Resolution
Resolution of MRI technique
- best resolution limited by MRI hardware, diffusion limit of water in tissue, and ability of subject to remain still (limited to ~ 100mm)
Hemodynamic effects
- spatial extent and locality of flow/oxygenation increases (territory of single arteriole or single capillary?)
Spatial sensitivity of contrast mechanism
- up-stream large vessel effects (in-flow)
- down-stream large vessel effects (draining veins)