Human brain white matter atlas: Identification and assignment of common anatomical structures in superficial white matter

Abstract

Structural delineation and assignment are the fundamental steps in understanding the anatomy of the human brain. The white matter has been structurally defined in the past only at its core regions (deep white matter). However, the most peripheral white matter areas, which are interleaved between the cortex and the deep white matter, have lacked clear anatomical definitions and parcellations. We used axonal fiber alignment information from diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to delineate the peripheral white matter, and investigated its relationship with the cortex and the deep white matter. Using DTI data from 81 healthy subjects, we identified nine common, blade-like anatomical regions, which were further parcellated into 21 subregions based on the cortical anatomy. Four short association fiber tracts connecting adjacent gyri (U-fibers) were also identified reproducibly among the healthy population. We anticipate that this atlas will be useful resource for atlas-based white matter anatomical studies.

Interhemispheric characterization of small vessel disease imaging markers after subcortical infarct

“…(2015). To report and analyze the probability density distribution (PD) per location we used two complementary approaches: (1) we identified the regions of maximum PD and noted the location guided by a standard atlas (Duvernoy, 1999) and (2) we developed a computational ROI template by combining the subcortical structures extracted using FSL FIRST together with 2 × 2 × 2 mm region of interest (ROI) placed on five main white matter pathways selected from the Johns Hopkins University DTI white matter atlas (anterior horns of the lateral ventricles, optic radiations, centrum semiovale bordering the corona radiata, external capsules, and retrolentiform part of the internal capsules; Oishi et al., 2008), and then determined the PD at each computationally determined ROI. The PD in each voxel represents the proportion of the population with an acute small subcortical infarct, WMH, microbleed, old stroke lesion, cavitated WMH, or lacune involving that voxel.…”

Brain White Matter Integrity Mediates the Relationship Between Phenylalanine Control and Executive Abilities in Children with Phenylketonuria

“…1). These regions were selected based on a well-established DTI atlas (Oishi et al 2008), and placement of ROIs was compared on each participant's FA map and TW2 images simultaneously. ROIs were shifted by a few voxels as necessary by a trained neuroradiology technician to better conform to each individual's native anatomy.…”

Interoperable atlases of the human brain

“…Conversely, the construction of white matter atlases based (primarily) on diffusion-weighted imaging (e.g., Durrleman et al, 2011;Oishi et al, 2008;Prasad et al, 2014;Thiebaut de Schotten et al, 2011;Zhang et al, 2010), their integration with those representing gray matter features or cross-species comparisons (Dougherty et al, 2005;Jbabdi et al, 2013;Javad et al, 2014;Sallet et al, 2013;Thiebaut de Schotten et al, 2012;Yendiki et al, 2011) will not be in the focus of the present work. We hope that this constraint will allow us to provide a more coherent overview on the state of the field, the challenges towards a true multi-modal brain atlas and potential solutions to overcome these.…”