A method of atlas mapping and an apparatus for image mapping are provided. The method includes generating a four dimensional template, linearly transforming the four dimensional representation of a subject to the four dimensional template, generating attribute vectors for a plurality of points of the linearly transformed four dimensional representation of the subject and of the four dimensional template, the plurality of points consisting of a plurality of temporally successive voxels of the four dimensional representation of the subject and of the four dimensional template, evaluating the generated attribute vectors to identify points in the four dimensional template that correspond to the four dimensional representation of the subject, and deforming the four dimensional template to the four dimensional representation of the subject according to relative positions of the corresponding points of the linearly transformed four dimensional representation of the subject and of the four dimensional template.