Function biomedical informatics research network recommendations for prospective multicenter functional MRI studies.
This report provides practical recommendations for the design and execution of multicenter functional MRI (MC-fMRI) studies based on the collective experience of the Function Biomedical Informatics Research Network (FBIRN). The study was inspired by many requests from the fMRI community to FBIRN group members for advice on how to conduct MC-fMRI studies. The introduction briefly discusses the advantages and complexities of MC-fMRI studies. Prerequisites for MC-fMRI studies are addressed before delving into the practical aspects of carefully and efficiently setting up a MC-fMRI study. Practical multisite aspects include: (i) establishing and verifying scan parameters including scanner types and magnetic fields, (ii) establishing and monitoring of a scanner quality program, (iii) developing task paradigms and scan session documentation, (iv) establishing clinical and scanner training to ensure consistency over time, (v) developing means for uploading, storing, and monitoring of imaging and other data, (vi) the use of a traveling fMRI expert, and (vii) collectively analyzing imaging data and disseminating results. We conclude that when MC-fMRI studies are organized well with careful attention to unification of hardware, software and procedural aspects, the process can be a highly effective means for accessing a desired participant demographics while accelerating scientific discovery.
Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA. gary.glover@stanford.edu
Gary H
GH
Glover
Bryon A
BA
Mueller
Jessica A
JA
Turner
Theo G M
TG
van Erp
Thomas T
TT
Liu
Douglas N
DN
Greve
James T
JT
Voyvodic
Jerod
J
Rasmussen
Gregory G
GG
Brown
David B
DB
Keator
Vince D
VD
Calhoun
Hyo Jong
HJ
Lee
Judith M
JM
Ford
Daniel H
DH
Mathalon
Michele
M
Diaz
Daniel S
DS
O'Leary
Syam
S
Gadde
Adrian
A
Preda
Kelvin O
KO
Lim
Cynthia G
CG
Wible
Hal S
HS
Stern
Aysenil
A
Belger
Gregory
G
McCarthy
Burak
B
Ozyurt
Steven G
SG
Potkin
D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019058:Community Networks / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016208:Databases, Factual; D006801:Humans; D016247:Information Storage and Retrieval / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008490:Medical Informatics / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011873:Radiology Information Systems / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014481:United States