title: UNC-Utah NA-MIC DTI framework: Atlas Based Fiber Tract Analysis with Application to a Study of Nicotine Smoking Addiction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The UNC-Utah NA-MIC DTI framework represents a coherent, open source, atlas fiber tract based DTI analysis framework that addresses the lack of a standardized fiber tract based DTI analysis workflow in the field. Most steps utilize graphical user interfaces (GUI) to simplify interaction and provide an extensive DTI analysis framework for non-technical researchers/investigators.
  
  
  METHODS
  We illustrate the use of our framework on a 54 directional DWI neuroimaging study contrasting 15 Smokers and 14 Controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  At the heart of the framework is a set of tools anchored around the multi-purpose image analysis platform 3D-Slicer. Several workflow steps are handled via external modules called from Slicer in order to provide an integrated approach. Our workflow starts with conversion from DICOM, followed by thorough automatic and interactive quality control (QC), which is a must for a good DTI study. Our framework is centered around a DTI atlas that is either provided as a template or computed directly as an unbiased average atlas from the study data via deformable atlas building. Fiber tracts are defined via interactive tractography and clustering on that atlas. DTI fiber profiles are extracted automatically using the atlas mapping information. These tract parameter profiles are then analyzed using our statistics toolbox (FADTTS). The statistical results are then mapped back on to the fiber bundles and visualized with 3D Slicer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This framework provides a coherent set of tools for DTI quality control and analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This framework will provide the field with a uniform process for DTI quality control and analysis.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
authors.forename: Audrey R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Verde
authors.affiliation: Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
authors.forename: Jean-Baptiste
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Berger
authors.affiliation: Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill ; Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Aditya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.affiliation: Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
authors.forename: Mahshid
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Farzinfar
authors.affiliation: Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
authors.forename: Adrien
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kaiser
authors.affiliation: Psychology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
authors.forename: Vicki W
authors.initials: VW
authors.lastname: Chanon
authors.affiliation: Psychology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Boettiger
authors.affiliation: Kitware Inc, Clifton Park, NY.
authors.forename: Casey
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Goodlett
authors.affiliation: Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
authors.forename: Yundi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.affiliation: Biostatistics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
authors.forename: Hongtu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City.
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gerig
authors.affiliation: Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City.
authors.forename: Sylvain
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gouttard
authors.affiliation: Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill ; Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City.
authors.forename: Clement
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vachet
authors.affiliation: Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill ; Comp. Science, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Styner
keywords: DTI Atlas Building; Diffusion Imaging Quality Control; Diffusion Tensor Imaging; Smoking Addiction; Tractography