Dear FreeSurfer Experts,
We are collecting a 0.9mm isotropic FSPGR sequence on a GE MR750 3T
scanner. We're observing, in many subjects, a problem mentioned in previous
posts to the list where the pial surface does not follow the cortex
properly in the anterior temporal lobe region (and also in some frontal
regions). The white matter surface generally looks very good. This is with
the default options from recon-all in v5.3.
We've also tried running the following options, based on previous posts
(expert options) and the release notes for version 5.2:
-norm2-b 20 -norm2-n 5
and
-norm2-b 20 -norm2-n 5 -3T
In general, there is a modest improvement in the medial temporal lobe pial
surface in most subjects. A substantial/desired improvement is observed in
only a few subjects. In general, there was no detrimental effect to either
the white matter or pial surface when using these flags.
Based on older posts to the list, we've also tried using the following
flags:
-mprage
and
-washu_mprage
The improvement to the pial surface is much more substantial in almost all
subjects, to some extent with the -mprage flag, mostly with the
-washu_mprage flag. However, this dramatic improvement in pial surface
accuracy was accompanied by many major issues with the white surface in
widespread areas across the brain. Also, some subjects fail to reconstruct
fully due to large defects in the surfaces with this option in place (also
something I've read about happening to people using the -washu otpion on
the list).
A few questions:
Would you suggest we also try the options "-norm1-b" and "-norm1-n" in
addition to the norm2 options? If so, any suggested starting values to try?
Alternatively, would it be sensible to try to use the white surface from
the default pipeline and combine it with (or perhaps initialize) the pial
surface from the -washu_mprage flag?
Do you have other suggestions for us to try?
Thank you for your time and help!
Sincerely,
Las