Functional mapping of human motor cortical activation with conventional MR imaging at 1.5 T

J Magn Reson Imaging. 1993 Nov-Dec;3(6):869-75. doi: 10.1002/jmri.1880030613.

Abstract

A conventional 1.5-T magnetic resonance (MR) imager was used to detect signal intensity changes on T2*-weighted images of human motor and sensory cortices during performance of hand and tongue movements. Narrow receiver bandwidths were used to improve the signal-to-noise ratio. Protocols consisting of baseline, motor task, rest, and second motor task periods were performed by nine volunteers. Two-dimensional cross correlation was applied to correct in-plane translation and rotation of the head during the imaging session before the control images were subtracted from the task images. Measurements obtained during finger movement tasks indicated a 3%-8% increase in signal intensity near the contralateral central sulcus and smaller ipsilateral signal intensity increases. Bilateral signal intensity increases were also observed during tongue movement studies. A retrospective image registration technique was used to map the signal changes onto conventional anatomic images, which were used to create integrated three-dimensional models of brain structure and function. These integrated images showed that the highest signal intensity due to hand movement was near the putative central sulcus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain Mapping* / methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Motor Cortex / physiology*
  • Somatosensory Cortex / physiology