Common Data Elements, Scalable Data Management Infrastructure, and Analytics Workflows for Large-Scale Neuroimaging Studies

Neuroscience studies require considerable bioinformatic support and expertise. Numerous high-dimensional and multimodal datasets must be preprocessed and integrated to create robust and reproducible analysis pipelines. We describe a common data elements and scalable data management infrastructure that allows multiple analytics workflows to facilitate preprocessing, analysis and sharing of large-scale multi-level data. The process uses the Brain Imaging Data Structure (BIDS) format and supports MRI, fMRI, EEG, clinical, and laboratory data. The infrastructure provides support for other datasets such as Fitbit and flexibility for developers to customize the integration of new types of data. Exemplar results from 200+ participants and 11 different pipelines demonstrate the utility of the infrastructure.

Automated summary

Neuroscience studies require robust bioinformatic support and expertise to preprocess and integrate high-dimensional datasets. This study introduces a scalable data management infrastructure supporting multiple analytics workflows and utilizing the BIDS format for various types of data, demonstrating its utility through exemplar results.