166 research outputs found
Diffeomorphic Metric Mapping of High Angular Resolution Diffusion Imaging based on Riemannian Structure of Orientation Distribution Functions
In this paper, we propose a novel large deformation diffeomorphic
registration algorithm to align high angular resolution diffusion images
(HARDI) characterized by orientation distribution functions (ODFs). Our
proposed algorithm seeks an optimal diffeomorphism of large deformation between
two ODF fields in a spatial volume domain and at the same time, locally
reorients an ODF in a manner such that it remains consistent with the
surrounding anatomical structure. To this end, we first review the Riemannian
manifold of ODFs. We then define the reorientation of an ODF when an affine
transformation is applied and subsequently, define the diffeomorphic group
action to be applied on the ODF based on this reorientation. We incorporate the
Riemannian metric of ODFs for quantifying the similarity of two HARDI images
into a variational problem defined under the large deformation diffeomorphic
metric mapping (LDDMM) framework. We finally derive the gradient of the cost
function in both Riemannian spaces of diffeomorphisms and the ODFs, and present
its numerical implementation. Both synthetic and real brain HARDI data are used
to illustrate the performance of our registration algorithm
Bayesian Estimation of White Matter Atlas from High Angular Resolution Diffusion Imaging
We present a Bayesian probabilistic model to estimate the brain white matter
atlas from high angular resolution diffusion imaging (HARDI) data. This model
incorporates a shape prior of the white matter anatomy and the likelihood of
individual observed HARDI datasets. We first assume that the atlas is generated
from a known hyperatlas through a flow of diffeomorphisms and its shape prior
can be constructed based on the framework of large deformation diffeomorphic
metric mapping (LDDMM). LDDMM characterizes a nonlinear diffeomorphic shape
space in a linear space of initial momentum uniquely determining diffeomorphic
geodesic flows from the hyperatlas. Therefore, the shape prior of the HARDI
atlas can be modeled using a centered Gaussian random field (GRF) model of the
initial momentum. In order to construct the likelihood of observed HARDI
datasets, it is necessary to study the diffeomorphic transformation of
individual observations relative to the atlas and the probabilistic
distribution of orientation distribution functions (ODFs). To this end, we
construct the likelihood related to the transformation using the same
construction as discussed for the shape prior of the atlas. The probabilistic
distribution of ODFs is then constructed based on the ODF Riemannian manifold.
We assume that the observed ODFs are generated by an exponential map of random
tangent vectors at the deformed atlas ODF. Hence, the likelihood of the ODFs
can be modeled using a GRF of their tangent vectors in the ODF Riemannian
manifold. We solve for the maximum a posteriori using the
Expectation-Maximization algorithm and derive the corresponding update
equations. Finally, we illustrate the HARDI atlas constructed based on a
Chinese aging cohort of 94 adults and compare it with that generated by
averaging the coefficients of spherical harmonics of the ODF across subjects
Unified Heat Kernel Regression for Diffusion, Kernel Smoothing and Wavelets on Manifolds and Its Application to Mandible Growth Modeling in CT Images
We present a novel kernel regression framework for smoothing scalar surface
data using the Laplace-Beltrami eigenfunctions. Starting with the heat kernel
constructed from the eigenfunctions, we formulate a new bivariate kernel
regression framework as a weighted eigenfunction expansion with the heat kernel
as the weights. The new kernel regression is mathematically equivalent to
isotropic heat diffusion, kernel smoothing and recently popular diffusion
wavelets. Unlike many previous partial differential equation based approaches
involving diffusion, our approach represents the solution of diffusion
analytically, reducing numerical inaccuracy and slow convergence. The numerical
implementation is validated on a unit sphere using spherical harmonics. As an
illustration, we have applied the method in characterizing the localized growth
pattern of mandible surfaces obtained in CT images from subjects between ages 0
and 20 years by regressing the length of displacement vectors with respect to
the template surface.Comment: Accepted in Medical Image Analysi
Diffeomorphic Metric Mapping and Probabilistic Atlas Generation of Hybrid Diffusion Imaging based on BFOR Signal Basis
We propose a large deformation diffeomorphic metric mapping algorithm to
align multiple b-value diffusion weighted imaging (mDWI) data, specifically
acquired via hybrid diffusion imaging (HYDI), denoted as LDDMM-HYDI. We then
propose a Bayesian model for estimating the white matter atlas from HYDIs. We
adopt the work given in Hosseinbor et al. (2012) and represent the q-space
diffusion signal with the Bessel Fourier orientation reconstruction (BFOR)
signal basis. The BFOR framework provides the representation of mDWI in the
q-space and thus reduces memory requirement. In addition, since the BFOR signal
basis is orthonormal, the L2 norm that quantifies the differences in the
q-space signals of any two mDWI datasets can be easily computed as the sum of
the squared differences in the BFOR expansion coefficients. In this work, we
show that the reorientation of the -space signal due to spatial
transformation can be easily defined on the BFOR signal basis. We incorporate
the BFOR signal basis into the LDDMM framework and derive the gradient descent
algorithm for LDDMM-HYDI with explicit orientation optimization. Additionally,
we extend the previous Bayesian atlas estimation framework for scalar-valued
images to HYDIs and derive the expectation-maximization algorithm for solving
the HYDI atlas estimation problem. Using real HYDI datasets, we show the
Bayesian model generates the white matter atlas with anatomical details.
Moreover, we show that it is important to consider the variation of mDWI
reorientation due to a small change in diffeomorphic transformation in the
LDDMM-HYDI optimization and to incorporate the full information of HYDI for
aligning mDWI
Development of High Angular Resolution Diffusion Imaging Analysis Paradigms for the Investigation of Neuropathology
Diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI), provides unique insight into the microstructure of neural white matter tissue, allowing researchers to more fully investigate white matter disorders. The abundance of clinical research projects incorporating DW-MRI into their acquisition protocols speaks to the value this information lends to the study of neurological disease. However, the most widespread DW-MRI technique, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), possesses serious limitations which restrict its utility in regions of complex white matter. Fueled by advances in DW-MRI acquisition protocols and technologies, a group of exciting new DW-MRI models, developed to address these concerns, are now becoming available to clinical researchers.
The emergence of these new imaging techniques, categorized as high angular resolution diffusion imaging (HARDI), has generated the need for sophisticated computational neuroanatomic techniques able to account for the high dimensionality and structure of HARDI data. The goal of this thesis is the development of such techniques utilizing prominent HARDI data models. Specifically, methodologies for spatial normalization, population atlas building and structural connectivity have been developed and validated. These methods form the core of a comprehensive analysis paradigm allowing the investigation of local white matter microarcitecture, as well as, systemic properties of neuronal connectivity. The application of this framework to the study of schizophrenia and the autism spectrum disorders demonstrate its sensitivity sublte differences in white matter organization, as well as, its applicability to large population DW-MRI studies
Proceedings of the Second International Workshop on Mathematical Foundations of Computational Anatomy (MFCA'08) - Geometrical and Statistical Methods for Modelling Biological Shape Variability
International audienceThe goal of computational anatomy is to analyze and to statistically model the anatomy of organs in different subjects. Computational anatomic methods are generally based on the extraction of anatomical features or manifolds which are then statistically analyzed, often through a non-linear registration. There are nowadays a growing number of methods that can faithfully deal with the underlying biomechanical behavior of intra-subject deformations. However, it is more difficult to relate the anatomies of different subjects. In the absence of any justified physical model, diffeomorphisms provide a general mathematical framework that enforce topological consistency. Working with such infinite dimensional space raises some deep computational and mathematical problems, in particular for doing statistics. Likewise, modeling the variability of surfaces leads to rely on shape spaces that are much more complex than for curves. To cope with these, different methodological and computational frameworks have been proposed (e.g. smooth left-invariant metrics, focus on well-behaved subspaces of diffeomorphisms, modeling surfaces using courants, etc.) The goal of the Mathematical Foundations of Computational Anatomy (MFCA) workshop is to foster the interactions between the mathematical community around shapes and the MICCAI community around computational anatomy applications. It targets more particularly researchers investigating the combination of statistical and geometrical aspects in the modeling of the variability of biological shapes. The workshop aims at being a forum for the exchange of the theoretical ideas and a source of inspiration for new methodological developments in computational anatomy. A special emphasis is put on theoretical developments, applications and results being welcomed as illustrations. Following the very successful first edition of this workshop in 2006 (see http://www.inria.fr/sophia/asclepios/events/MFCA06/), the second edition was held in New-York on September 6, in conjunction with MICCAI 2008. Contributions were solicited in Riemannian and group theoretical methods, Geometric measurements of the anatomy, Advanced statistics on deformations and shapes, Metrics for computational anatomy, Statistics of surfaces. 34 submissions were received, among which 9 were accepted to MICCAI and had to be withdrawn from the workshop. Each of the remaining 25 paper was reviewed by three members of the program committee. To guaranty a high level program, 16 papers only were selected
Information-Theoretic Registration with Explicit Reorientation of Diffusion-Weighted Images
We present an information-theoretic approach to the registration of images
with directional information, and especially for diffusion-Weighted Images
(DWI), with explicit optimization over the directional scale. We call it
Locally Orderless Registration with Directions (LORD). We focus on normalized
mutual information as a robust information-theoretic similarity measure for
DWI. The framework is an extension of the LOR-DWI density-based hierarchical
scale-space model that varies and optimizes the integration, spatial,
directional, and intensity scales. As affine transformations are insufficient
for inter-subject registration, we extend the model to non-rigid deformations.
We illustrate that the proposed model deforms orientation distribution
functions (ODFs) correctly and is capable of handling the classic complex
challenges in DWI-registrations, such as the registration of fiber-crossings
along with kissing, fanning, and interleaving fibers. Our experimental results
clearly illustrate a novel promising regularizing effect, that comes from the
nonlinear orientation-based cost function. We show the properties of the
different image scales and, we show that including orientational information in
our model makes the model better at retrieving deformations in contrast to
standard scalar-based registration.Comment: 16 pages, 19 figure
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