title: MRI simulation-based evaluation of image-processing and classification methods.
abstract: With the increased interest in computer-aided image analysis methods, there is a greater need for objective methods of algorithm evaluation. Validation of in vivo MRI studies is complicated by a lack of reference data and the difficulty of constructing anatomically realistic physical phantoms. We present here an extensible MRI simulator that efficiently generates realistic three-dimensional (3-D) brain images using a hybrid Bloch equation and tissue template simulation that accounts for image contrast, partial volume, and noise. This allows image analysis methods to be evaluated with controlled degradations of image data.
authors.affiliation: Brain Imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, PQ, Canada.
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Kwan
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: G B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Pike
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging