BEP: functional ultrasound imaging (fUS)

[tdeffieux]

Hello Bids community,

Here is a draft bids extension proposal for functional ultrasound imaging.

Functional ultrasound (fUS) imaging is a technique that uses ultrafast ultrasound imaging and power Doppler to detect subtle changes in cerebral blood volume (CBV) in the brain (Mace et al, 2011). While relatively new, it is starting to be used for preclinical imaging / research with also some recent applications in humans (mainly in neonatal and peroperative imaging).

Functional ultrasound imaging is somewhat similar to fMRI, and we thought it would be beneficial to base the specification as much as possible on the original fMRI BIDS including file formats. Hopefully, fMRI software such as fsl, spm, nilearn, and rabies could also support functional ultrasound imaging datasets with relatively minor modifications.

We drafted a first specification following initial discussions at fusBrain 2022 and would like to share it here for broader discussions. The main differences with the fMRI spec are ultrasound specific metadata and support for multiple probe positions.

Here is the link to the draft BEP
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1W3z01mf1E8cfg_OY7ZGqeUeOKv659jCHQBXavtmT-T8/edit

We welcome comments and contributions from the community !
Thanks !

Thomas Deffieux, Physmed Inserm researcher

Jean-Charles Mariani, Samuel Diebolt, and Zsolt Lenkei.

[Remi-Gau]

Hey @tdeffieux and others.

Sorry for the slow reply and thanks for opening this issue.

We are currently trying to standardize our operating procedure regarding BEP extension: you can find more information here: https://bids-extensions.readthedocs.io/en/latest/guide/#when-and-how-to-start-a-bids-extension-proposal

To move forward could you send an email at bids.maintenance@gmail.com with the email addresses of all the BEP leads so we can plan a meeting to get you on your way to give a number to this BEP?

[sappelhoff]

see related PR for assigning a BEP number: bids-standard/bids-website#287