Background: MRI of the brain is increasingly used in the investigation of the newborn but there are few reports on the normal appearance of the developing brain. We have scanned a series of newborn infants in an attempt to distinguish pathological from non-pathological features. Subjects: 68 newborn infants (median PMA 34 wks, range 24-42) subdivided in 2 group: A- normal clinical and US; B- underlying neurobnormality. Interventions: Images were acquired in two planes on a 1.5 T Philips Gyroscan using turbo spin echo pulse sequences.Results: Symmetrical PV bands of reduced signal intensity were noted on T2W images in 98% of group A infants and in 97% of group B. The number of bands was inversely related to the PMA. The reduction in bands with increasing PMA was delayed in group B infants (p=0.002, Mann-Whitney).Conclusion: The signal intensity of these bands is similar to that of the germinative zone, proximal to the ependyma of the lateral ventricle. Histological studies confirm the presence of matrix and migrating cells within the PV white matter beyond 20 weeks gestation, when neuronal migration to the cortex is complete. We postulate that the bands seen on T2W images represent groups of migrating glial cells, providing a further marker of cerebral maturation.