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Abstract #3612

Comparison of Thalamus Parcellation by Cortical Projections Using Three Tractography Methods in Neonates

Angela Downing1, Serena J. Counsell1, Daniel Rueckert2, A David Edwards1, Jo V. Hajnal1

1Robert Steiner MRI Unit, Imaging Sciences Department, MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom; 2Department of Computing, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom

The development of thalamo-cortical projections is a key process in neonatal brain development. Parcellation of the thalamus according to thalamo-cortical connections found from DTI is becoming well established in adults but is currently uncertain in neonates. We have tested three methods, partial volume, constrained spherical deconvolution and global fibre reconstruction, using 32-direction HARDI data in term infants. Each method provided a parcellation in all cases and these were consistent to >63%. Whole brain seeding approaches were found to be the most consistent with each other and across subjects, as opposed to just considering paths seeded in the thalamus.

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Keywords

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