Semi-automated analysis of supraclavicular thermal images increases speed of brown adipose tissue analysis without increasing variation in results.
Curr Res Physiol
; 4: 177-182, 2021.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-34746836
ABSTRACT
Interest in brown adipose tissue remains high a decade after it was determined to be present outside of the neonatal period. In vivo imaging, however, has remained a challenge due to the lack of a imaging modality suitable for large healthy-volunteer studies, post-prandial investigations and vulnerable groups, such as children. Infrared thermography is increasingly accepted as a valid, non-invasive and flexible alternative but there is a wide approach to analysis between different groups. Defining the region of interest with anatomical borders rather than using a simple polygon may have advantages in terms of consistency but makes image analysis slower, limiting some applications. Our novel semi-automated method, using a custom-built graphical user interface, allows an 86% improvement in speed of image analysis (54.9 (38.3-71.4) seconds/image) without increases in variation between analysers or with repeated analysis. The improved efficiency demonstrated makes feasible larger studies, longer imaging periods or increased image acquisition frequency, providing an opportunity to study novel features of brown adipose tissue function.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Language:
En
Journal:
Curr Res Physiol
Year:
2021
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Reino Unido