Computational anatomy toolbox explained

Computational Anatomy Toolbox (CAT)
Developer:	Structural Brain Mapping Group Christian Gaser Robert Dahnke
Latest Release Version:	12.9
Programming Language:	Matlab, C
Operating System:	Linux, macOS, Windows
Platform:	MATLAB, SPM
Genre:	Neuroimaging data analysis
License:	GNU General Public License

CAT (computational anatomy toolbox) is a free and open source software package used for the analysis of structural brain imaging data, in particular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).^[1] Developed by Christian Gaser and Robert Dahnke of the Structural Brain Mapping Group at the University of Jena, CAT is an extension of the SPM software.

Functionality

CAT provides tools for voxel-based morphometry (VBM),^[2] cortical thickness,^[3] folding,^[4] and gyrification^[5] analysis, as well as volume or surface estimates within predefined brain regions of interest.

Related software

• SPM
• FSL (FMRIB Software Library)
• AFNI
• Freesurfer
• Caret

Notes and References

1. Gaser C, Dahnke R, Thompson PM, etal . Aug 2024 . CAT: a computational anatomy toolbox for the analysis of structural MRI data . GigaScience . 13 . giae049 . 11299546 . 39102518. 10.1093/gigascience/giae049.
2. Ashburner J, Friston KJ . Jun 2000 . Voxel-based morphometry--the methods . NeuroImage . 11 . 6 . 805–21 . 10860804 . 10.1006/nimg.2000.0582.
3. Dahnke R, Yotter RA, Gaser C . Jan 2013 . Cortical thickness and central surface estimation . NeuroImage . 65 . 336–48 . 23041529. 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2012.09.050.
4. Yotter RA, Nenadic I, Ziegler G, etal . Jun 2011 . Local cortical surface complexity maps from spherical harmonic reconstructions . NeuroImage . 56 . 3 . 961–73 . 21315159. 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2011.02.007.
5. Luders E, Thompson PM, Narr KL, etal . Jul 2009 . A curvature-based approach to estimate local gyrification on the cortical surface . NeuroImage . 29 . 4 . 1224–30 . 16223589. 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2005.08.049.