A Model-Based Fully Automatic Algorithm for Brain Extraction on 3D MRI Scans

Babak A. Ardekani¹, Alvin H. Bachman¹

A model-based automatic algorithm is presented for brain extraction on 3D MRI scans. Given a structural MRI of the head, the objective is to classify each voxel within the image volume as either brain or non-brain. Brain extraction, as a preliminary step, often improves the results of inter-subject non-linear image registrations. It is also a very useful first step in automatic brain tissue classification algorithms. We have compared the algorithm presented in this paper with several previously published programs and have found it to be superior to those techniques. An implementation of this algorithm is freely available online at: www.nitrc.org/projects/art.