1. A method for computing regional statistical distribution or characteristics of at least one quantitative measures over a mean anatomic space for at least one predefined population and using this statistical distribution or characteristic to study, research or understand the regional response of a disease or a treatment process and to regionally rate clinical status of patient data from an unknown population for diagnostic purposes, comprising the steps of: graphically delineating the landmarks of an anatomical structure to create a mean anatomic space into which patient data can be mapped; gathering anatomical structure data from a defined population; and mapping the anatomical structure data to the mean anatomic space, wherein said step of graphically delineating the landmarks of an anatomical structure to create a mean anatomic space into which patient data can be mapped further comprises the step of computing quantitative indices over the volume of the anatomical structure.