Use of the texture analysis technique for studying MR images of Friedreich's ataxia patients

• Grant number: 11/17254-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2011
• End date: March 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Biomedical Engineering - Medical Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Gabriela Castellano
• Grantee: Carlos Eduardo Bravin Maistro
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física Gleb Wataghin (IFGW). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 05/56578-4 - Multimodal neuroimaging center for studies in epilepsy, AP.CINAPCE.TEM

Abstract

The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique is today one of the methods most used to conduct in vivo studies of the human brain and its pathologies. With MRI becoming routine in many hospitals, the problem arises of how to extract relevant information from the huge amount of data generated. One way to extract relevant parameters of the images is the technique of texture analysis, which seeks to find statistical parameters that characterize the tissues in a given image or image region. The objective of this project is to apply this technique to the analysis of MR images of patients with Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA), and of a group of healthy individuals (control group). The results obtained with the technique will be compared between groups using a statistical analysis, and results obtained for the patient's group in two moments will also be compared. The goal is to verify the possibility of using this technique to aid in assessing the progression of this disease.