3D model-based approach to identification of laminar structures of the cerebral cortex: Application to Brodmann areas 17 and 18

Abstract

The human cerebral cortex may be subdivided into architectonic fields according to variations within its laminar structure. Studies have shown correspondences between the locations of functional activation foci and architectonic regions. In order to perform accurate localization of functional activation foci to architectonic regions, a parcellation algorithm capable of segmenting architectonic regions on in vivo imaging datasets is required. This paper presents a novel 3D model-based approach to directly detect cortical layers and classify architectonic fields. The column-like structure of the cortex is modeled using a Laplace equation method which generates a collection of intensity profile..