The　region　growing　pulse　coupled　neural　network　(PCNN)　algorithm　is　an　efficient　method　for　multi-value　image　segmentation.　However,　as　a　kind　of　PCNN　models,　choosing　appropriate　parameters　are　usually　difficult.　This　paper　brings　forward　a　new　approach　which　improves　the　region　growing　PCNN　model　by　modifying　the　linking　channel　function　and　decreases　the　complexity　of　adjusting　parameters.　The　region　growing　PCNN　is　not　effective　when　processing　the　edge　pixels　between　different　regions　because　the　edge　pixels　and　central　pixels　are　dealt　with　unfairly.　In　order　to　overcome　this　disadvantage,　the　proposed　method　processes　the　edge　pixels　by　setting　the　edge　pixels　and　central　pixels　to　receive　same　linking　input　if　they　are　in　similar　condition.　Computer　simulations　prove　it　can　process　the　edge　pixels　efficiently　and　obtain　clear　boundaries　between　different　regions.　(C)　2008　Elsevier　Inc.　All　rights　reserved.