Network connectivity
Region-to-region connectivity within large-scale brain networks from resting-state fMRI.
BrainDS + fMRI · Function
After “where it is” comes “how it works.”
BrainDS + fMRI is a research module in development. It will extend the BrainDS suite from structure and signal to function — how brain regions interact over time — for research hospitals, institutes and neuroscience teams.
Research module · In development: Not yet available. Open to research collaboration; not intended for clinical use.
- Resting-state fMRI
- Network connectivity
- Group comparison
- Research use
01 / Rationale
Why add function?
Volumetry and PET describe the brain at a single moment. Functional MRI records the BOLD signal over several minutes, so it can show which regions fluctuate together — a view of network organisation that neither structure nor tracer uptake provides.
Networks, not just regions
Connectivity analysis treats the brain as a network: regions are nodes, and the strength of their co-fluctuation over time forms the links between them.
02 / Workflow
How the module is designed to work
The planned workflow follows the same pattern as the rest of the suite. Every step below is in development.
01
Import
Load a resting-state BOLD fMRI series together with the participant’s T1-weighted anatomical scan.
02
Check quality
Report head motion and signal-quality measures first, so unreliable runs are identified before analysis.
03
Map networks
Estimate connectivity between the regions of large-scale networks, such as the default mode network.
04
Compare and report
Compare individuals or groups with reference cohorts and export the results for research review.
03 / Capabilities
What we are building
Planned capabilities, shaped with research partners.
Matrices and network graphs
Connections explored as a matrix or an interactive graph, with thresholds to focus on the strongest links.
Group comparison
Individuals or groups compared with reference cohorts to highlight connections that differ.
Quality control
Motion and signal-quality measures reported alongside every result.
Activation mapping
Task-related activation maps for study designs that use tasks, complementing connectivity.
One suite
Designed to run in the same on-premise environment as BrainDS and BrainDS + PET.
04 / Prototype
An early look at the interface
Three views from the research prototype running on public research data: the network overview, a directed network graph and a region-to-region connectivity matrix.
Research prototype — illustrative only. It is not part of the current BrainDS build, and the values shown are not validated results. Subject details are masked; assistant and summary text is blurred.
05 / Acquisition
Signal quality starts at acquisition
Connectivity estimates depend on a stable signal over time. In an internal single-volunteer pilot at 3T, median temporal SNR was 16% higher with MTechLab’s dielectric pad, with the largest gain in mid-brain slices.
Internal pilot with one volunteer; the pad scan was acquired second and the data were not preprocessed. Not a validation study.
06 / Research
Grounded in connectivity research
Members of our research team have published seed-based resting-state functional-connectivity studies at 3T. BrainDS + fMRI builds on that methodological experience.12
These are academic studies, not validations of BrainDS + fMRI.
References
- 1.Park SE, Jeon YJ, Baek HM. Functional and structural brain abnormalities and clinical characteristics of male patients with alcohol dependence. Brain Sciences. 2023;13(6):942.
- 2.Park SE, Jeon YJ, Baek HM. Association between changes in cortical thickness and functional connectivity in male patients with alcohol-dependence. Experimental Neurobiology. 2021;30(6):441–450.
07 / Specifications
Planned specifications
- Input
- Resting-state BOLD fMRI with a T1-weighted anatomical scan
- Analyses
- Network connectivity · activation mapping
- Views
- Connectivity matrix · network graph · group comparison · quality control
- Users
- Research hospitals, institutes and neuroscience teams
- Deployment
- The on-premise BrainDS environment
- Status
- Research module in development · not for clinical use
08 / FAQ
FAQ
Is BrainDS + fMRI available now?
Not yet. It is a research module in development. We welcome research partners who want to help shape its analyses and their validation.
What data will it use?
Resting-state BOLD fMRI time series in DICOM or NIfTI format, together with a T1-weighted anatomical scan.
Will it be used for diagnosis?
No. BrainDS + fMRI is intended for research use only.
How does it relate to BrainDS and BrainDS + PET?
It is planned as the third module of the suite: BrainDS measures structure, BrainDS + PET quantifies tracer signal, and BrainDS + fMRI will analyse function.
Shape the module with us
We are looking for research hospitals, institutes and neuroscience teams to collaborate on BrainDS + fMRI.