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Updated: May 9, 2026
A Comprehensive Protocol for Manual Segmentation of the Medial Temporal Lobe Structures
Published on: July 2, 2014
Medial temporal cortices in ex vivo magnetic resonance imaging
Jean C Augustinack1, André J W van der Kouwe, Bruce Fischl
1Athinoula A Martinos Center, Department of Radiology, MGH, Charlestown, Massachusetts, 02129.
Abstract:
This review focuses on the ex vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) modeling of medial temporal cortices and associated structures, the entorhinal verrucae and the perforant pathway. Typical in vivo MRI has limited resolution due to constraints on scan times and does not show laminae in the medial temporal lobe. Recent studies using ex vivo MRI have demonstrated lamina in the entorhinal, perirhinal, and hippocampal cortices. These studies have enabled probabilistic brain mapping that is based on the ex vivo MRI contrast, validated to histology, and subsequently mapped onto an in vivo spherically warped surface model. Probabilistic maps are applicable to other in vivo studies.
Insights
Ex vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reveals detailed brain structures in the medial temporal lobe, offering higher resolution than typical in vivo MRI. This advancement enables precise probabilistic brain mapping for enhanced neuroscience research.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Anatomy
- Histology
Background:
- In vivo MRI resolution is limited for medial temporal lobe structures.
- Detailed laminar architecture is crucial for understanding brain function.
- Ex vivo MRI offers superior resolution for brain tissue analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review ex vivo MRI modeling of medial temporal cortices.
- To highlight the visualization of laminae in the entorhinal, perirhinal, and hippocampal cortices.
- To discuss the application of ex vivo MRI-derived contrast for probabilistic brain mapping.
Main Methods:
- Ex vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of medial temporal cortices.
- Validation of MRI contrast with histological data.
- Development of probabilistic brain maps using ex vivo MRI data.
- Mapping onto in vivo surface models.
Main Results:
- Ex vivo MRI successfully visualized laminae in the entorhinal, perirhinal, and hippocampal cortices.
- Probabilistic maps were generated based on ex vivo MRI contrast.
- These maps were validated against histological findings.
- The developed maps are transferable to in vivo studies.
Conclusions:
- Ex vivo MRI provides unprecedented detail of medial temporal lobe structures.
- This technique facilitates accurate probabilistic brain mapping.
- The findings have significant implications for future in vivo neuroimaging studies.
