Tetsuya Yoneda1, Toshinori Hirai2, Yasuhiro Hiai1, Hiroki Arimura1, Yoko Kitajima3, Tomoyo Ideta4, Mika Kitajima2, Yasuyuki Yamashita2
1School of Health Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan; 2Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan; 3Kumamoto Neurosurgery Hospital, Kumamoto, Japan; 4Saiseikai Kumamoto Hospital, Kumamoto, Japan
The laminar patterns in the human cerebral cortices have not been investigated at 3T MRI in living humans. We developed a novel technique of phase-difference enhanced (PADRE) imaging to enhance a phase difference of tissue structures. We evaluated axial 1-mm-thick PADRE images obtained using a 3T MR scanner in 6 healthy volunteers. We adjusted parameters of PADRE imaging using high-pass filter and phase enhancement techniques in order to enhance the laminar patterns of the cortices. In all 6 cases a triple-layer appearance was frequently seen in all bilateral primary motor, sensory, and visual cortices.