Interactive database of spinal cord morphometry

Motivation: Spinal cord morphometric measures are commonly used to evaluate spinal cord pathologies. Yet, their interpretation is challenged by considerable intra- and inter-subject variability. Goal(s): Develop a method for automatic normalization relative to a healthy cohort to reduce inter-subject variability. Approach: Morphometric measures computed from an open-access dataset (N=203) were linearly interpolated using a newly proposed approach into the spinal cord template to build a normative database. Results: The methodology is open-source and allows normalization based on sex, MRI vendors, and age decades, thereby minimizing inter-subject variability associated with demographic and biological factors. Impact: This new morphometric database will allow researchers to normalize based on sex, MRI vendors, and age decades, thereby minimizing inter-subject variability associated with demographic and biological factors. The method is open-source and available in Spinal Cord Toolbox.