Functional Alignment of fMRI Exploiting Prior Information

by prof. Livio Finos, Dept. of Developmental Psychology and Socialisation, University of Padova

When: January 30th, 2020 – 3:00 pm

Where: VIMM Seminar Hall

Abstract: Multi-subject functional Magnetic Resonance Image (fMRI) studies are critical to test the validity of findings across subjects. However, the anatomical and functional structure varies across subjects, hence the image alignment is a fundamental step. One anatomical alignment is the Talairach Atlas, thus, it doesn’t account for functional topography. For that, Haxby et al. (2011) developed a functional approach called Hyperalignment, using sequential Procrustes orthogonal transformations. The inter-subject classification of functional response is improved. However, any constraint isn’t imposed to the transformation, losing results interpretability.

In this presentation, functional connectivity-related phenotypes associated with the risk for the disorders, their modulation by genetic variation and treatment will be discussed.