Surface-based analysis of the developing cerebral cortex

Abstract

Abstract The human cerebral cortex undergoes dynamic and regionally heterogeneous development during infancy. Cortical surface-based analysis, which explicitly reconstructs topologically-correct and geometrically-accurate surface representations of the highly-folded, thin cerebral cortex, is the key to precisely measure, integrate, and map brain structural, functional, and connectivity information from multimodal infant MR images. However, due to dynamic image contrast and brain size, shape, and folding degree, especially during the first postnatal year, cortical surface-based computational tools tailored for neonates, infants and toddlers are highly needed, as conventional tools developed for adults are not suitable. In this chapter, we will introduce major challenges, available solutions, and key steps in cortical surface-based analysis of infant MR images. These steps include cortical topology correction, surface reconstruction, surface registration, surface parcellation, atlas construction, computation and integration of biologically meaningful multimodal cortical properties, e.g. cortical thickness, surface area, myelin content, cortical folding, diffusivity, structural and functional connectivity. We will also discuss the limitations of current works and some promising directions for future works.