Deep Learning Corpus Callosum Segmentation as a Neurodegenerative Marker in Multiple Sclerosis

Background and Purpose Corpus callosum atrophy is a sensitive biomarker of multiple sclerosis (MS) neurodegeneration but typically requires manual 2D or volumetric 3D-based segmentations. We developed a supervised machine learning algorithm, DeepnCCA, for corpus callosum segmentation and relate callosal morphology to clinical disability using conventional MRI scans collected in clinical routine. Methods In a prospective study of 553 MS patients with 704 acquisitions, 200 unique 2D T-2-weighted MRI scans were delineated to develop, train, and validate DeepnCCA. Comparative FreeSurfer segmentations were obtained in 504 3D T-1-weighted scans. Both FreeSurfer and DeepnCCA outputs were correlated with clinical disability. Using principal component analysis of the DeepnCCA output, the morphological changes were explored in relation to clinical disease burden. Results DeepnCCA and manual segmentations had high similarity (Dice coefficients 98.1 +/-.11%, 89.3 +/-.76%, for intracranial and corpus callosum area, respectively through 10-fold cross-validation). DeepnCCA had numerically stronger correlations with cognitive and physical disability as compared to FreeSurfer: Expanded disability status scale (EDSS) +/- 6 months (r = -.22 P = .002; r = -.17, P = .013), future EDSS (r = -.26, Pr = -.17, P = .012), and future symbol digit modalities test (r = .26, P = .001; r = .24, P = .003). The corpus callosum became thinner with increasing cognitive and physical disability. Increasing physical disability, additionally, significantly correlated with a more angled corpus callosum. Conclusions DeepnCCA () is an openly available tool that can provide fast and accurate corpus callosum measurements applicable to large MS cohorts, potentially suitable for monitoring disease progression and therapy response.

Automated summary

The developed supervised machine learning algorithm provides fast and accurate measurements of corpus callosum for multiple sclerosis biomarkers, showing stronger correlations with clinical disability compared to conventional methods. It can be used to monitor disease progression and therapy response in large MS cohorts.