Myeloarchitectonic mapping of cortical gray matter with 3D inhomogeneous magnetization transfer (ihMT)

Advances in inhomogeneous magnetization transfer (ihMT) imaging have enabled improved volumetric imaging of gray matter. We performed a cortical surface-based analysis of the ihMT ratio (ihMTR) and the inverse ihMT ratio (ihMTRinv) to investigate the distribution of myelin in cortical gray matter. IhMT MRI, and especially ihMTRinv, displayed regional differences in cortical myelination, in agreement with postmortem studies. These findings support the myelin sensitivity and specificity of ihMTRinv and its use for gray matter characterization.