title: Validation of a fully automated hippocampal segmentation method on patients with dementia.
abstract: We describe a fully automated method for hippocampal segmentation. The method uses SPM5 (http://www.fil.ion.ucl.ac.uk/spm/) software to segment the brain into grey/white matter, and spatially normalize the images to standard space. Grey matter pixels within a predefined hippocampal region in standard space are identified to segment the hippocampi. The method was validated on 36 subjects (9 each of Alzheimer's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, vascular dementia, and healthy controls). The mean absolute difference in volume compared with manual segmentation was 11% (SD 9%). Linear regression between manual and automated volume gave V(auto) = V(manual) x 0.83 + 401 ml. The method provides an acceptable automated alternative to manual segmentation which may be of value in large studies.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Ageing and Health, Newcastle University, Wolfson Research Centre, Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 6BE, United Kingdom. m.j.firbank@ncl.ac.uk
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Firbank
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Barber
authors.forename: Emma J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Burton
authors.forename: John T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: O'Brien
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001331:Automation / Q000379:methods; D001931:Brain Mapping / Q000379:methods*; D003704:Dementia / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015140:Dementia, Vascular / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D020961:Lewy Body Disease / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012984:Software; D012986:Software Validation