Scan Once, Analyse Many: Using Large Open-Access Neuroimaging Datasets to Understand the Brain

We are now in a time of readily available brain imaging data. Not only are researchers now sharing data more than ever before, but additionally large-scale data collecting initiatives are underway with the vision that many future researchers will use the data for secondary analyses. Here I provide an overview of available datasets and some example use cases. Example use cases include examining individual differences, more robust findings, reproducibility-both in public input data and availability as a replication sample, and methods development. I further discuss a variety of considerations associated with using existing data and the opportunities associated with large datasets. Suggestions for further readings on general neuroimaging and topic-specific discussions are also provided.

Automated summary

We are currently in an era where brain imaging data is readily available and researchers are sharing data more than ever before. Large-scale data collecting initiatives are also underway with the hope that future researchers will use the data for secondary analysis. Available datasets can be used for examining individual differences, producing more robust findings, ensuring reproducibility, and developing methods. Utilizing existing data requires careful consideration, but also presents various opportunities associated with large datasets.