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Neo-architectonics computer-aided histological examination of the human visual cortex.

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Call No.	QP383.15 .A56 2004
Author	Annese, Jacopo
Title	Neo-architectonics computer-aided histological examination of the human visual cortex.
Date	2004
Abstract	Functional neuroimaging has confirmed a high degree of localization of function in the cerebral cortex of man. In contrast, microstructural analysis has contributed very little to the topographical characterization of cortical areas. In this work I combine histology and digital neuroimaging with two main objectives in mind. One is to reconsider the cortical architectonic method overcoming those valid criticisms of classical histotopographic maps; the second is to ascertain the consistency of a structural parcellation scheme in the human visual cortex across specimens from different individuals. At the core of the scope of this study is the development of a suite of methods that amount to the segmentation the cortical surface into discrete architectonic fields. Cortical tissue undergoes a series of morbid preparation and staining processes that were optimized to provide high contrast images suitable for microscopic analysis. Quantitative myelo -architectonic analysis begins with the manual delineation of the outer cortical surface (the perimeter of the histological section) and of the border between the white and gray matter. The density of staining in each layer of the cortex is recorded by an algorithm that measures pixel intensity values along cross sectional lines (traverses) running from the pial surface to the white matter border. These profile lines are computed by the solution of a partial differential equation (the classic heat conduction equation of Laplace) that generates a graded vector field between the reference contours of the cortex which are used as boundary conditions. In the next step of the procedure cortical profiles in each section are classified based on the significant components that emerge from wavelet analysis. Cluster analysis (unsupervised learning) is applied to profiles that share features in the compact representation that was outputted by wavelet analysis. Intensity profile arrays belonging to separate clusters are reparametrized and averaged to produce schemata representing area-specific template of cortical myelo -architecture. The method is implemented and validated through the localization and the histological characterization of area MT/V5, or the human 'motion area'. Localization of MT/V5 by observer independent myelo -architectonics is complemented by multiple staining techniques and 3-D reconstruction. The topography of MT/V5 defined by microstructural features resulted congruent with the localization afforded by functional imaging. MT/V5 was localized precisely by the histotopographic method in relation to new macroscopic landmarks in the occipito-temporal region. This application also demonstrated a new set of distinguishing histological features of human MT/V5 that permit localization on structural grounds and suggests that the characteristic lamination of this area may be related to its unique pattern of connections and to its role in visual perception. This study provides insight into the relationship between architectonic characterization, the physiology and the connectivity of visual cortical areas.
Description	1 online resource (xix, 151 leaves) : illustrations (some color)
Format	application/pdf
Advisor	Gazzaniga, Michael S.
Subject	Visual cortex -- Imaging. ; Visual cortex -- Histology. ; Image processing -- Digital techniques.
College	Dartmouth College -- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences; Center for Cognitive Neuroscience.
Issuing Body	Dartmouth Dissertations are made available through the Dartmouth Digital Library.
Degree	Thesis (Ph.D)--Dartmouth College.
Copyright	In Copyright. This material is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this material in any way that is permitted by copyright law that applies to your use. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1349/ddlp.2950

Title	annese2004 1
Full Text	Neo-architectonics Computer Aided Histological Examination of the Human Visual Cortex A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Cognitive Neuroscience by Jacopo Annese DARTMOUTH COLLEGE Hanover, New Hampshire January 5th, 2004

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