Atlas template images for nonhuman primate neuroimaging: Baboon and Macaque

Coregistration of functional brain images across many subjects offers important experimental advantages and is widely used for studies in humans. Voxel-based image registration methods require a high-quality 3D template image, preferably one that correspondes to a published atlas. We created structural MR and blood flow PET images for neuroimaging studies in baboon and macaque (available at purl.org/net/kbmd/b2k and purl.org/net/kbmd/n2k). In this communication, we describe our methods in detail for creating such a template, for validating it with respect to a published atlas, and for using it to analyze functional imaging data. These methods can be applied to other image registration software programs and to other nonhuman primate species.