Volume estimation of prefrontal cortical subfields using MRI and stereology

The objective of this protocol was to provide a rapid, neurofunctionally relevant alternative to region-drawing or automated gyral/sulcal-based techniques. The Cavalieri method and point counting [e.g. Br. J. Radiol. 73 (2000) 679] were used in conjunction with a previously established parcellation methodology [Arch. Gen. Psychiatry 57 (2000) 761] to estimate the volumes of anatomically defined subfields of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) based on landmarks visible on T-1-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images. Ten participants (n = 5 healthy adults; n = 5 patients) were studied. Regional PFC volume estimates derived from point counting methods were reproducible between raters (Intraclass Correlations (ICC)=0.92-0.95) and repeatable within rater (ICC=0.93-0.99). Predicted coefficients of error for individual volume estimates were less than 5%. This protocol provides an efficient means of calculating unbiased volume estimates of the PFC with predictable precision for use in both cognitive and clinical studies. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.