MRI-BASED TOPOGRAPHIC PARCELLATION OF HUMAN NEOCORTEX - AN ANATOMICALLY SPECIFIED METHOD WITH ESTIMATE OF RELIABILITY

We describe a system of parcellation of the human neocortex, based upo n magnetic resonance images, that conserves the topographic uniqueness of the individual brain. Subdivision of the neocortex, according to t his system, is based entirely upon the configuration of a specified se t of cerebral landmarks, principally neocortical fissures. These are p resent but unique in the details of their configurations in each indiv idual brain. We introduce here a computer-assisted algorithm that ensu res that a skilled investigator can execute the parcellation routine i n a manageable period of time. Secondly, we outline a comprehensive se t of conventions that specify how the boundaries of parcellation units are defined by anatomic landmarks. The average interobserver agreemen t in voxel assignment to parcellation units within the overall neocort ex nas 80.2%.