Function Biomedical Informatics Research Network Traveling Subject Study
(funded by NCRR)

To develop and validate functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in a large-scale multi-center study of schizophrenia and prior to developing a validated functional distributed neuroimaging database, it is critical to establish a standard functional magnetic resonance imaging protocol, to determine its sensitivity, and to compare the patterns of activation across different scanners. Therefore, the goal of this project is to determine reliability and validity of patterns of activation during fMRI across the FBIRN sites, using novel cognitive tasks and methods, to support a federated database of large-sample functional MRI datasets contributed by consortium members. CBMI Director Dr. Padhraic Smyth and Biostatistics Unit Director Dr. Hal Stern are leading the effort to develop the multisite calibration techniques for the consortium, CBMI translational architect, David Keator, is leading the data integration efforts.

Informatics Needs

• Integration environment to link FBIRN data to UC Irvine CBMI data infrastructure.
• Integration of FBIRN ontology, terminology, and data concept mapping with CBMI knowledge engineering environment.
• Collaborative tools to enable social networking among heterogeneous researchers (physicians, statisticians, computer scientists, and cognitive psychologists.