Spline-based multimodal image registration of 3D PLI data of the human brain

Abstract

Registration of high-resolution 3D polarized light images (PLI) to reference blockface images is necessary for the analysis of brain fiber structures. We present an automatic approach for the registration of high-resolution 3D PLI data of histological sections of a human brain that integrates automatic segmentation, rigid registration, and spline-based elastic registration. We have applied the approach to images of the temporal lobe of the human brain and assessed its accuracy and robustness.