1. A method of identifying brain structures, comprising: using magnetic resonance imaging system for imaging the cortex of the brain via inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging, said imaging comprises applying to the brain energy that is resonantly absorbed in the brain, said energy being applied as a resonance pulse sequence selected such that, for each of at least two areas or regions in the cortex, a longitudinal magnetization of the respective area or region is suppressed compared to a longitudinal magnetization of all other areas or regions, wherein each of these areas or regions is characterized by a different characteristic recovery time; using an image processor for classifying said at least two areas or regions to a laminar pattern based on characteristic recovery time and associating said at least two areas or regions with different brain structures, thereby identifying brain structures; and graphically displaying said identified laminar patterns on a display.