Different Neuroimaging Measurement Techniques for the Cerebellum in Alzheimer's Disease: VolBrain-Horos Comparison.

Abstract

Introduction: The use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which has greater soft tissue contrast than other imaging modalities, has increased over the last 30 years. Studies have shown that MRI is frequently used for diagnosing neurodegenerative diseases. The incidence of Alzheimer's disease, a neurodegenerative condition, is increasing due to population aging and has a detrimental impact on quality of life. Volumetric changes in many important anatomical structures have been detected in magnetic resonance (MR) images of Alzheimer's disease patients. Various software programs, such as OsiriX, Horos, and VolBrain, are currently used to perform area and volume measurements in various brain structures. In this study, we compared the VolBrain and Horos applications for volume measurements of the cerebellum, whose relationship with Alzheimer's disease is not yet fully understood. We aimed to assess the consistency between the applications using various statistical methods and to highlight their respective advantages and disadvantages for researchers.

Methods: This was a retrospective study. The patient group comprised 50 individuals with Alzheimer's disease aged 30-65 years. T1 MR images of 50 Alzheimer's disease patients were first acquired via the VolBrain program and then via the Horos program.

Results: The applications used yielded almost identical measurement results, and no significant differences were observed.

Discussion: Both applications have been found to produce consistent results. This indicates that the methods are reliable and that either application can be effectively used for the intended purpose.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the choice between the two applications depends largely on the user's data requirements, software preferences, and hardware capabilities. These factors play a decisive role in the selection process.