Systems and methods for performing attenuation correction on positron emission tomography (“PET”) data using images acquired with a magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) system are provided. Preferably, the magnetic resonance images are acquired using a pulse sequence that produces magnetic resonance signals from bone tissue that can be distinguished by variations in bone density. Images acquired in this manner can provide information about intra-subject and inter-subject variations in bone density, thereby resulting in more accurate attenuation correction in bone tissues.
