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Published on: July 30, 2009
The Haskins pediatric atlas: a magnetic-resonance-imaging-based pediatric template and atlas
Peter J Molfese1,2, Daniel Glen3, Laura Mesite4
1Haskins Laboratories, 300 George St., Suite 900, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA. peter.molfese@nih.gov.
Insights
The new Haskins pediatric template offers superior spatial normalization for pediatric functional MRI (fMRI) studies, reducing deformation and improving anatomical accuracy compared to adult and existing pediatric templates.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Pediatric Neuroscience
- Medical Image Analysis
Background:
- Spatial normalization is crucial for multi-subject MRI and fMRI group analyses.
- Existing adult templates are suboptimal for pediatric data, and current pediatric templates are limited or outdated.
- Accurate normalization is essential for reliable pediatric neuroimaging research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce the Haskins pediatric templates and atlases for improved registration and labeling in pediatric fMRI.
- To provide a more accurate and detailed template for pediatric brain analysis.
- To enhance the precision of anatomical and functional region identification in children.
Main Methods:
- Generated nonlinear pediatric templates and atlases using structural MRI from 72 children (ages 7-14).
- Developed detailed templates with corresponding parcellations of labeled atlas regions.
- Assessed template accuracy using deformation distance and overlap metrics.
Main Results:
- The Haskins template demonstrated significantly lower deformation distances compared to adult and other pediatric templates (P<0.0001).
- Achieved higher correct atlas classification in 74% of regions compared to other templates (P<0.0001).
- Indicated superior performance in normalizing pediatric neuroimaging data.
Conclusions:
- The Haskins pediatric template enables more accurate cross-subject correspondence due to reduced deformation.
- This improved correspondence enhances the accuracy of atlas locations for pediatric structural and functional imaging.
- The template benefits the analysis of pediatric brain structure and function in fMRI studies.
Background:
Spatial normalization plays an essential role in multi-subject MRI and functional MRI (fMRI) experiments by facilitating a common space in which group analyses are performed. Although many prominent adult templates are available, their use for pediatric data is problematic. Generalized templates for pediatric populations are limited or constructed using older methods that result in less ideal normalization.
Objective:
The Haskins pediatric templates and atlases aim to provide superior registration and more precise accuracy in labeling of anatomical and functional regions essential for all fMRI studies involving pediatric populations.
Materials And Methods:
The Haskins pediatric templates and atlases were generated with nonlinear methods using structural MRI from 72 children (age range 7-14 years, median 10 years), allowing for a detailed template with corresponding parcellations of labeled atlas regions. The accuracy of these templates and atlases was assessed using multiple metrics of deformation distance and overlap.
Results:
When comparing the deformation distances from normalizing pediatric data between this template and both the adult templates and other pediatric templates, we found significantly less deformation distance for the Haskins pediatric template (P<0.0001). Further, the correct atlas classification was higher using the Haskins pediatric template in 74% of regions (P<0.0001).
Conclusion:
The Haskins pediatric template results in more accurate correspondence across subjects because of lower deformation distances. This correspondence also provides better accuracy in atlas locations to benefit structural and functional imaging analyses of pediatric populations.
