MNLS inverse discriminates between neuronal activity on opposite walls of a simulated sulcus of the brain

The minimum-norm least-squares (MNLS) inverse for magnetic field measurements is applied to a representation of a sulcus of the human brain, where one or both walls have regions of neuronal activity. Simulations indicate that the magnetic source image (MSI) is largely confined to the appropriate wall of the sulcus, even for a depth of 4 cm where the distance between walls is only 3 mm. Two nearly oppositely oriented dipoles located 3 mm apart are found to be distinguished. Influences on the quality of the MSI by measurement noise and inaccuracy in determining the image surface are discussed in detail.