Automated MRI-Based Volumetric Analysis of Basal Nuclei in Parkinson's Disease: Comparing MRICloud and IBASPM Methods

Abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD) is associated with characteristic structural changes in basal nuclei, most notably the substantia nigra. While manual segmentation remains the reference standard for volumetric analysis, automated tools offer greater scalability and efficiency. To compare the volumetric measurements of basal nuclei between Parkinson’s disease patients and healthy controls using two fully automated segmentation methods—MRICloud and IBASPM. In this retrospective study, 43 PD patients and 45 control participants underwent high-resolution MRI. Volumetric analyses of the caudate nucleus, putamen, globus pallidus, and substantia nigra were conducted using MRICloud and IBASPM. MRICloud identified significantly increased caudate nucleus volumes in PD patients compared to controls. IBASPM showed no significant volumetric differences. Substantia nigra volumes did not differ significantly between groups. Weak inter-method correlations were observed. Automated segmentation tools produce divergent results in basal nuclei volumetry. MRICloud may detect subtle changes in PD more sensitively than IBASPM. Methodological differences must be considered when interpreting automated neuroimaging data.