Neuroimaging Core (NC)
Overview
The Neuroimaging Core manages neuroimaging acquisition (2 assessments/subject), quality control, harmonization, data archiving and data sharing at all study sites. Image acquisition, quality control and harmonization strategies emulate those of ADNI3 and Mark VCID supplemented by team expertise. Minimal data preprocessing uses pipelined approaches both volumetric and surface-based. Surface-based analyses emulate Enhancing Neuro Imaging Genetics through Meta-Analysis (ENIGMA) protocols, with the expectation that other large studies of the post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) will emerge and that ENIGMA community will embrace the challenge of ongoing data exploration both meta-analytic and mega-analytic.
Participating Institutions
- UT Health SA
Aim 1
Image Acquisition, Harmonization and Quality Control. Structural MRI and functional MRI images will be acquired at all study sites. Structural MRI acquisitions will emulate those of ADNI3, UKBioBank, Lifespan HCP, MarkVCID and GOBS. Functional MRI acquisitions will emulate the latest GOBS. The NC will coordinate acquisition across sites, including harmonization and quality control.
Aim 2
Image Preprocessing and Pipeline analytics. The NC will perform post-acquisition quality control, image preprocessing (artifact removal, motion correction, etc.), and run widely used volumetric and surface-based pipeline analyses. Blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD)-based indices of neuronal dysfunction will be cross-validated with glucose metabolism and blood flow.
Aim 3
Image Archiving, Access Control, and Sharing. Anonymized raw and processed volumetric and surfaced based images and image-derived data (region of interest [ROI] values) and visual-inspection scores will be archived in the XNAT system. Spreadsheet-compatible data will be provided to the Data Management and Statistics Core.
Core Leadership
- Dr. Peter Fox – Core PI - UT Health San Antonio
- Dr. Geoffrey Clarke – UT Health San Antonio
- Dr. Mohamad Habes – UT Health San Antonio
- Dr. Sidath Kumarapperuma – UT Health San Antonio
- Dr. Jinqi Li – UT Health San Antonio
- Dr. Pavel Rodriguez – UT Health San Antonio
- Dr. Peter Kochunov – UT Health San Antonio
Data and Resource Sharing
The AC oversees sharing study resources with external investigators, promoting collaborations. Resource transfer agreements are managed through the Data Management & Statistics Core and deposited in NIH-maintained repositories, including NACC, NCRAD, and NIAGADS.