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Updated: Jun 13, 2025
High-resolution In Vivo Manual Segmentation Protocol for Human Hippocampal Subfields Using 3T Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Published on: November 10, 2015
Curved multiplanar reformatting allows the accurate histological delineation of hippocampal subfields
Devon James Hupka1, Andrew Abey1, Ehsan Misaghi2
1Division of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Background:
Hippocampal subfields perform specific roles in normal cognitive functioning and have distinct vulnerabilities in neurological disorders. However, measurement of subfields with MRI is technically difficult in the head and tail of the hippocampus. Recent studies have utilized curved multiplanar reconstruction (CMPR) to improve subfield visualization in the head and tail, but this method has not yet been applied to histological data.
Methods:
We utilized BigBrain data, an open-source database of serially sectioned histological data for our analyses. The left hippocampus was segmented according to histological criteria by two raters in order to evaluate intra- and inter-rater reliability of histology-based segmentation throughout the long axis. Segmentation according to our previous protocol for the hippocampal body was then compared to these histological measurements to evaluate for histological validity. Agreement between segmentations was evaluated using Dice similarity coefficients (DSCs).
Results:
Intra-rater reliability (DSCs) of histological segmentation was excellent for all subfields: CA1 (0.8599), CA2 (0.7586), CA3/CA4/DG (0.8907), SLM (0.9123), subiculum (0.8149). Similarly, inter-rater reliability analysis demonstrated excellent agreement (DSCs) for all subfield locations: CA1 (0.8203), CA2 (0.7253), CA3/CA4/DG (0.8439), SLM (0.8700), subiculum (0.7794). Finally, histological accuracy (DSCs) for our previous protocol was excellent for all subfields: CA1 (0.8821), CA2 (0.8810), CA3/CA4/DG (0.9802), SLM (0.9879), subiculum (0.8774). When subfields in the hippocampus head, body, and tail were analyzed independently, DSCs also showed excellent agreement.
Conclusions:
CMPR allows reliable subfield segmentation based on histological criteria throughout the hippocampal head, body, and tail. Our previous protocol for the hippocampal body can be applied to provide histologically valid subfield measurements throughout the entire hippocampal long axis.
Insights
Curved multiplanar reconstruction (CMPR) enables reliable segmentation of hippocampal subfields using histological data. This method validates measurements across the entire hippocampus, aiding neurological disorder research.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neuroanatomy
- Histology
Background:
- Hippocampal subfields are crucial for cognition and vulnerable in neurological disorders.
- Accurate MRI measurement of hippocampal head and tail subfields is challenging.
- Curved multiplanar reconstruction (CMPR) has improved visualization but not been validated with histology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To validate curved multiplanar reconstruction (CMPR) for histological segmentation of hippocampal subfields.
- To assess the reliability and accuracy of CMPR-based segmentation across the entire hippocampal long axis.
Main Methods:
- Utilized BigBrain histological data for hippocampus segmentation.
- Two raters performed segmentation based on histological criteria to assess reliability.
- Compared CMPR-based segmentation with histological data using Dice similarity coefficients (DSCs).
Main Results:
- Excellent intra-rater reliability (DSCs 0.7586–0.9123) and inter-rater reliability (DSCs 0.7253–0.8700) for histological segmentation.
- Excellent histological accuracy (DSCs 0.8774–0.9879) of the CMPR protocol across all subfields.
- High agreement (DSCs) observed when analyzing hippocampus head, body, and tail independently.
Conclusions:
- CMPR provides reliable and histologically valid subfield segmentation throughout the hippocampus.
- The validated CMPR protocol can be applied for accurate subfield measurements along the entire hippocampal axis.
