MRIO: the Magnetic Resonance Imaging Acquisition and Analysis Ontology.

Journal: Neuroinformatics
PMID:

Abstract

Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain is a useful tool in both the clinic and research settings, aiding in the diagnosis and treatments of neurological disease and expanding our knowledge of the brain. However, there are many challenges inherent in managing and analyzing MRI data, due in large part to the heterogeneity of data acquisition. To address this, we have developed MRIO, the Magnetic Resonance Imaging Acquisition and Analysis Ontology. MRIO provides well-reasoned classes and logical axioms for the acquisition of several MRI acquisition types and well-known, peer-reviewed analysis software, facilitating the use of MRI data. These classes provide a common language for the neuroimaging research process and help standardize the organization and analysis of MRI data for reproducible datasets. We also provide queries for automated assignment of analyses for given MRI types. MRIO aids researchers in managing neuroimaging studies by helping organize and annotate MRI data and integrating with existing standards such as Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine and the Brain Imaging Data Structure, enhancing reproducibility and interoperability. MRIO was constructed according to Open Biomedical Ontologies Foundry principles and has contributed several classes to the Ontology for Biomedical Investigations to help bridge neuroimaging data to other domains. MRIO addresses the need for a "common language" for MRI that can help manage the neuroimaging research, by enabling researchers to identify appropriate analyses for sets of scans and facilitating data organization and reporting.

Authors

  • Alexander Bartnik
    Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center, Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.
  • Lucas M Serra
    Department of Biomedical Informatics, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.
  • Mackenzie Smith
    Department of Radiation Therapy, Sunnybrook Odette Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada.
  • William D Duncan
    Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA.
  • Lauren Wishnie
    Department of Biomedical Informatics, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.
  • Alan Ruttenberg
    School of Dental Medicine, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, United States of America.
  • Michael G Dwyer
    Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center, Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.
  • Alexander D Diehl
    Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Department, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada, Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada, Department of Neurology, University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA, Institute for Immunity, Transplantation and Infection, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA, Center for Human Immunology, Autoimmunity and Inflammation, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA, School of Dental Medicine, University at Buffalo, NY 14214-8006, USA, J. Craig Venter Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA, Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, CA 92093, USA.