Quantitative assessment of structural complexity in human cerebellum through analysis of skeletonized mr images: anatomical correlations, sex differences, and agerelated changes

Abstract

The present study provides a quantitative assessment of the human cerebellum structural complexity using analysis of skeletonized images. Magnetic resonance images from 100 apparently healthy individuals (aged 18-86 years) were examined. Following segmentation, the images were skeletonized, and quantitative analysis of the digital skeletons was conducted. The following parameters were determined: number of branches and their junctions, end-point, slab and junction pixels, average and maximum branch length, triple and quadruple points. Sex differences were assessed. Correlation analysis included determining the relationships between the studied parameters and age, morphometric parameters derived from Euclidean and fractal geometries, as well as the same parameters of the digital skeletons identified in the cerebral hemispheres. In conclusion, quantitative analysis of digital cerebellar skeletons offers advantages for assessing the structural complexity of the cerebellum. This method and the results of the present study can be applied in diagnosing cerebellar malformations and distinguishing between malformations and atrophic alterations.