Volume estimation of prefrontal cortical subfields using MRI and stereology

TY - JOUR

T1 - Volume estimation of prefrontal cortical subfields using MRI and stereology

AU - Howard, Matthew A

AU - Roberts, Neil

AU - García-Fiñana, Marta

AU - Cowell, Patricia E

PY - 2003/2

Y1 - 2003/2

N2 - The objective of this protocol was to provide a rapid, neurofunctionally relevant alternative to region-drawing or automated gyral/sulcal-based techniques. The Cavalieri method and point counting [e.g. Br. J. Radiol. 73 (2000) 679] were used in conjunction with a previously established parcellation methodology [Arch. Gen. Psychiatry 57 (2000) 761] to estimate the volumes of anatomically defined subfields of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) based on landmarks visible on T(1)-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images. Ten participants (n=5 healthy adults; n=5 patients) were studied. Regional PFC volume estimates derived from point counting methods were reproducible between raters (Intraclass Correlations (ICC)=0.92-0.95) and repeatable within rater (ICC=0.93-0.99). Predicted coefficients of error for individual volume estimates were less than 5%. This protocol provides an efficient means of calculating unbiased volume estimates of the PFC with predictable precision for use in both cognitive and clinical studies.

AB - The objective of this protocol was to provide a rapid, neurofunctionally relevant alternative to region-drawing or automated gyral/sulcal-based techniques. The Cavalieri method and point counting [e.g. Br. J. Radiol. 73 (2000) 679] were used in conjunction with a previously established parcellation methodology [Arch. Gen. Psychiatry 57 (2000) 761] to estimate the volumes of anatomically defined subfields of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) based on landmarks visible on T(1)-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images. Ten participants (n=5 healthy adults; n=5 patients) were studied. Regional PFC volume estimates derived from point counting methods were reproducible between raters (Intraclass Correlations (ICC)=0.92-0.95) and repeatable within rater (ICC=0.93-0.99). Predicted coefficients of error for individual volume estimates were less than 5%. This protocol provides an efficient means of calculating unbiased volume estimates of the PFC with predictable precision for use in both cognitive and clinical studies.

U2 - 10.1016/S1385-299X(02)00202-7

DO - 10.1016/S1385-299X(02)00202-7

M3 - Article

C2 - 12565683

SN - 1385-299X

VL - 10

SP - 125

EP - 138

JO - BRAIN RESEARCH PROTOCOLS

JF - BRAIN RESEARCH PROTOCOLS

IS - 3

ER -