Method for quantification of brain volume from magnetic resonance images
First Claim
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1. A method of classifying regional brain volumes which comprises the steps of:
- a) obtaining a magnetic resonance image of a brain;
b) loading said magnetic resonance image into a memory of an image processor which includes means for producing a digital image of said magnetic resonance image;
c) producing a digital image of said magnetic resonance image;
d) selecting a region of interest of said digital image;
e) forming a pixel intensity histogram from said region of interest;
f) dividing said pixel intensity histogram into a plurality of domains;
g) curve fitting said pixel intensity histogram within said plurality of domains;
h) determining a threshold pixel intensity from the intersection of the curves produced in step g; and
i) classifying regional brain volumes based on said threshold pixel intensity.
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Abstract
A simple, rapid and semi-automated method of MRI analysis based on mathematical modelling of MRI pixel intensity histograms. The method is accurate and reliable for regional analysis of brain, central and subarachnoid CSF volumes. The method can be used to reveal significant age-related changes in regional brain volumes which cannot be determined utilizing traced central CSF volumes or subarachnoid CSF volumes. The method can be used to quantify brain structure in healthy aging and brain disease.
78 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method of classifying regional brain volumes which comprises the steps of:
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a) obtaining a magnetic resonance image of a brain; b) loading said magnetic resonance image into a memory of an image processor which includes means for producing a digital image of said magnetic resonance image; c) producing a digital image of said magnetic resonance image; d) selecting a region of interest of said digital image; e) forming a pixel intensity histogram from said region of interest; f) dividing said pixel intensity histogram into a plurality of domains; g) curve fitting said pixel intensity histogram within said plurality of domains; h) determining a threshold pixel intensity from the intersection of the curves produced in step g; and i) classifying regional brain volumes based on said threshold pixel intensity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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6. A method of monitoring changes in brain structures which comprises the steps of
a) obtaining a magnetic resonance image of a brain; -
b) loading said magnetic resonance image into a memory of an image processor which includes means for producing a digital image of said magnetic resonance image; c) producing a digital image of said magnetic resonance image; d) selecting a region of interest of said digital image; e) forming a pixel intensity histogram from said region of interest; f) dividing said pixel intensity histogram into a plurality of domains; g) curve fitting said pixel intensity histogram within said plurality of domains; h) determining a threshold pixel intensity from the intersection of the curves produced in step g; and i) classifying regional brain volumes based on said threshold pixel intensity j) periodically repeating steps a) through i) at different time periods; and k) comparing classified brain volumes determined periodically repeated at different time periods.
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Current AssigneeUnited States Department Of Health And Human Services
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Original AssigneeUnited States Department Of Health And Human Services
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InventorsHorwitz, Barry, DeCarli, Charles
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Primary Examiner(s)McElheny, Jr., Donald E.
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Application NumberUS07/742,763Time in Patent Office830 DaysField of Search364/413.13, 364/413.14, 364/413.15, 364/564, 395/124, 395/142, 395/143, 382/51, 382/52, 382/54, 382/6, 382/18, 128/653.1, 128/653.2US Class Current600/410CPC Class CodesG06T 2207/10088 Magnetic resonance imaging ...G06T 2207/20104 Interactive definition of r...G06T 2207/30016 BrainG06T 7/0012 Biomedical image inspectionG06T 7/11 Region-based segmentationG06T 7/60 Analysis of geometric attri...G16H 30/20 for handling medical images...G16H 50/50 for simulation or modelling...G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided...
