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Abstract #3460

Is Use of a Site-Specific EPI Template Still Beneficial for Group FMRI Studies?

David F. Abbott1,2, Sarah J. Wilson1,3, Graeme D. Jackson1,4

1Brain Research Institute, Florey Neuroscience Institutes (Austin), Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; 2Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; 3School of Behavioural Science, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; 4Departments of Medicine and Radiology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia


Voxel-based analysis of group fMRI requires spatial normalisation to a common space. A standard template is most often used to permit comparison between studies. A popular approach is normalisation of EPI images directly to the standard template. Other options have included use of a site-specific template to provide better inter-subject registration, at the expense of systematic differences between its co-ordinates and standard space. However, with advances in registration algorithms, is it still worth using a site-specific template? We used SPM8 to analyse 3T fMRI data of 26 healthy controls and found a site-specific template still provided increased significance of group activation.

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