Layer-Specific Differential Activation in Human V1 at 3 T Using 3D-EPI

Peter Jan Koopmans¹, Eelke Visser¹, David Gordon Norris^1,2, Markus Barth^1,2

A fast, high-resolution fMRI study of human V1 at 3 T is presented showing layer-specific effects. While contrasting grating stimuli versus rest shows activation profiles that inside the cortex peak in the granular layer, differential effects can be seen in the supragranular layer when contrasting coloured versus achromatic stimuli. Using 3D-EPI, 32 slices with 0.75 mm isotropic voxels could be measured with a volume repetition time of only 2.5 seconds opening the door to event related stimulus designs at the laminar level.