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Updated: Mar 10, 2026
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High-resolution Structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Human Subcortex In Vivo and Postmortem
Published on: December 30, 2015
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Towards a mechanistic understanding of the human subcortex
Birte U Forstmann1, Gilles de Hollander1, Leendert van Maanen1,2
1Amsterdam Brain and Cognition Centre, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 129B, 1018 WT Amsterdam, The Netherlands; and at the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, an Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Meibergdreef 47, 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Nature Reviews. Neuroscience
|December 16, 2016
Summary
Exploring the human subcortex using advanced MRI techniques is crucial for understanding brain complexity. New interdisciplinary methods are needed to map these deep brain structures and integrate data into cognitive neuroscience models.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Human Anatomy
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- The human subcortex is complex and poorly represented in standard MRI atlases.
- In vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the subcortex is difficult due to its deep location and intricate anatomy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the need for advanced techniques to study the human subcortex.
- To discuss emerging interdisciplinary methods for subcortical neuroanatomy.
- To explore integrating subcortical data into cognitive neuroscience frameworks.
Main Methods:
- Discusses emerging technical advances in neuroimaging.
- Proposes an interdisciplinary human neuroanatomical approach.
- Focuses on in vivo MRI of deep brain structures.
Main Results:
- Standard MRI atlases incompletely depict subcortical structures (only 7%).
- Technical challenges in subcortical MRI require novel solutions.
- An interdisciplinary approach is essential for mapping the subcortex.
Conclusions:
- Advanced, interdisciplinary methods are necessary to explore the human subcortex.
- Integrating novel imaging data into cognitive neuroscience models is a key future direction.
- Further research is needed to uncover the 'terra incognita' of the subcortex.
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