Semi‐automated hippocampal segmentation in people with cognitive impairment using an age appropriate template for registration. Issue 6 (3rd July 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Merkel, Bernd; Steward, Christopher; Vivash, Lucy; Malpas, Charles B.; Phal, Pramit; Moffat, Bradford A.; Cox, Kay L.; Ellis, Kathryn A.; Ames, David J.; Cyarto, Elizabeth V.; Lai, Michelle M.Y.; Sharman, Matthew J.; Szoeke, Cassandra; Masters, Colin L.; Lautenschlager, Nicola T.; Desmond, Patricia
• Is Part Of: Journal of magnetic resonance imaging. Volume 42:Issue 6(2015)
• Page Start: 1631
• Page End: 1638
• Publication Date: 2015-07-03
• Subjects: mild cognitive impairment -- subjective memory complaints -- magnetic resonance imaging -- hippocampus -- segmentation -- Alzheimer's disease; Magnetic resonance imaging -- Periodicals; 616
• DOI: 10.1002/jmri.24966
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1053-1807

Abstract

Abstract : Background: To evaluate a new semi‐automated segmentation method for calculating hippocampal volumes and to compare results with standard software tools in a cohort of people with subjective memory complaints (SMC) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods: Data from 58 participants, 39 with SMC (17 male, 22 female, mean age 72.6) and 19 with MCI (6 male, 13 female, mean age 74.3), were analyzed. For each participant, T1‐weighted images were acquired using an MPRAGE sequence on a 3 Tesla MRI system. Hippocampal volumes (left, right, and total) were calculated with a new, age appropriate registration template, based on older people and using the advanced software tool ANTs (Advanced Normalization Tools). The results were compared with manual tracing (seen as the reference standard) and two widely accepted automated software tools (FSL, FreeSurfer). Results: The hippocampal volumes, calculated by using the age appropriate registration template were significantly ( P < 0.05) more accurate (mean volume accuracy more than 90%) than those obtained with FreeSurfer and FSL (both less than 70%). Dice coefficients for the hippocampal segmentations with the new template method (75.3%) were slightly, but significantly ( P < 0.05) higher than those from FreeSurfer (72.4%). Conclusion: These results suggest that an age appropriate registration template might be a more accurate alternative to calculate hippocampal volumes when manual segmentation is not feasible. J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2015;42:1631–1638.