Recognising Cortical Sulci and Gyri in MR Images

We describe an automatic technique for segmenting the outer cortical surface from axial MR images. The scalp outline defines a search area within which the cortex can be expected to lie. The image is sampled radially and a special purpose edge-detector is used to create an initial estimate of the cortical surface. This estimate is then relaxed under the control of local edge constraints. The cortex outline then guides a search for sulci. A physical description of the sulci and gyri of the cortex is derived, which allows a 3D reconstruction of the cortical surface and its sulci to be displayed.