Morphological characterization of the hippocampus: a first database in Ecuador

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Medical Imaging Analysis
• Biomarker Discovery

Background:

• Hippocampal volume is a key biomarker for neurological and psychiatric diseases.
• Limited data exists on hippocampal morphology in Latin American populations, particularly those in the Andean highlands.
• Comprehensive morphological analysis beyond volume is often overlooked.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish the first database detailing hippocampal morphology in patients from the Andean highlands.
• To analyze qualitative and quantitative morphological descriptors of the hippocampus.
• To explore potential correlations between various hippocampal descriptors and hippocampal volume.

Main Methods:

• Manual segmentation of the hippocampus from normal brain MRI scans by two specialists.
• Computation of morphological descriptors (volume, sphericity, roundness, diameter, volume-surface ratio, aspect ratio) using 3D digital level-set-based mathematical representation.
• Analysis of additional morphological descriptors and their correlation with hippocampal volume.

Main Results:

• Introduction of a novel database comprising the morphological characterization of the hippocampus in 63 patients from Quito, Ecuador.
• Inclusion of diverse age ranges (18-95 years) and both male and female participants.
• Detailed analysis of multiple hippocampal morphological descriptors.

Conclusions:

• This study establishes a foundational database for hippocampal morphology in an underrepresented Latin American population.
• Provides crucial data for neurologists, psychologists, and psychiatrists to better understand hippocampal variations in Andean patients.
• Opens new avenues for research into neurological, psychiatric, and psychological conditions within this demographic.