Manual Segmentation of the Human Choroid Plexus Using Brain MRI

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Neuroanatomy
• Brain Development

Background:

• The choroid plexus is vital for brain maturation, immune regulation, and cognitive function.
• Current automated tools fail to accurately segment the choroid plexus, especially in the third and fourth ventricles.
• Reliable segmentation is essential for studying neurodevelopmental and brain disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a detailed protocol for manual segmentation of the choroid plexus in the lateral, third, and fourth ventricles.
• To improve the reliability and replicability of choroid plexus research.
• To establish a foundation for developing improved automated segmentation tools.

Main Methods:

• Manual segmentation of the choroid plexus using T1w images in 3D Slicer.
• Utilizing axial, sagittal, and coronal planes for delineation.
• Adjusting windowing for precise localization and exclusion of surrounding brain matter.

Main Results:

• A reproducible protocol for manual choroid plexus segmentation is established.
• Methods for assessing segmentation accuracy and reliability are demonstrated.
• The protocol facilitates the creation of gold-standard datasets.

Conclusions:

• This manual segmentation protocol enhances the study of the choroid plexus in neurodevelopment and brain disorders.
• Accurate segmentation is key to understanding the choroid plexus's role across the lifespan.
• The protocol supports the development of advanced automated segmentation tools for wider research application.