Technological challenges for multi-site studies
- The Function BIRN (Biomedical Informatics Research Network) is a consortium of researchers who are taking on the challenge of combining fMRI datasets from different sites and creating capabilities for large multi-site neuroimaging studies. Site differences (e.g., scanners, procedures) have been shown to exceed inter-subject differences.
- Methods used to reduce site differences include use of an agar phantom, a breath hold scan as a surrogate for a maximum BOLD response, standardization of response devices, tasks, and approaches to data analysis, and various calibration strategies. While progress has been made, much remains to be done.
