Creating A 3D Histological Atlas of Subcortical Nuclei using Ultra‐High Field MRI Registration: A Model for DBS Surgical Planning

Abstract

Introduction/ObjectivesDeep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is an effective neurosurgical intervention that is used for the treatment of Parkinson's Disease (PD) and other movement disorders. Through the development of higher resolution templates and atlases, DBS targeting can be performed with higher accuracy. The aim of this study is to create a histological atlas of the subcortex and evaluate its ability to inform DBS surgical planning.MethodsThe histological template was creating through in‐situ 7 Tesla (T) Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of a cadaveric brain, followed by ex‐vivo 7T MR imaging and histological processing of the subcortex. Histology‐to‐MRI registration allowed for the mapping and reconstruction of histological sections back into the MRI space. Ten subcortical structures were directly visualized and segmented based on MRI and histology data.ResultsThrough direct visualization of subcortical nuclei we demonstrated that these anatomical structures can be segmented with higher accuracy using histological data as opposed to 7T MRI data.ConclusionWe hope that further development of this model can be applied to clinically significant anatomical structures, such as the Subthalamic Nucleus and Globus Pallidus Interna, when planning DBS surgery for PD patients.Support or Funding InformationCanadian Institutes of Health Research, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, BrainsCAN, Brain Canada FoundationThis abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.