The MR tomograph as a sound generator: fMRI tool for the investigation of the auditory cortex

An automatic fMRI protocol for the investigation of the human auditory cortex has been developed. For the activation of the auditory system, the scanner noise itself is the source of sound. Rapid switching of B0 gradients allows the generation of tones of defined frequencies and amplitude on a conventional scanner without hardware change. No additional device for sound generation or sound delivery is needed. The proposed technique allows functional MRI of the auditory cortex in a clinical routine session.