Automatic Atlas-Based Segmentation of Brain White Matter in Neonates at Risk for Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Very preterm infants, < 32 weeks gestation, are at high risk for brain injury. Cognitive deficits are often diagnosed at a later stage, since there are no available predictive biomarkers in the neonatal period. The maturation of specific white matter (WM) brain structures is considered a promising early-stage biomarker. With Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI ) tractography , an in vivo and non-invasive evaluation of these anatomical structures is possible.