title: Volume estimation of prefrontal cortical subfields using MRI and stereology.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Magnetic Resonance and Image Analysis Research Centre, University of Liverpool, P.O. Box 147, Liverpool L69 3BX, UK.
authors.forename: Matthew A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Howard
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: García-Fiñana
authors.forename: Patricia E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Cowell
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results