Microstructural variations on a theme: a bottom-up approach to diffusion models

[matteomancini]

Project info

Title:
Microstructural variations on a theme: a bottom-up approach to diffusion models

Project lead:
Matteo Mancini (Twitter: @ingmatman; Mattermost: matman)

Project collaborators:
Marco Palombo (who already gave a lot of suggestions!)

Registered Brainhack Global 2020 Event:
Brainhack Micro2Macro - https://brainhack-micro2macro.github.io

Project Description:
The goal of this project is to quantify in practical terms the differences between different microstructural models focusing on one of the most common targets: the intra-cellular volume fraction. As detailed in Novikov et al. NMR in Biomed 2018, the numerous approaches (with related articles) proposed are "theme variations" on a common model, the sticks model, to the point that someone has started talking about a "standard model" of white matter microstructure. So what happens when we compare these different variations at the ROI or voxel level? How large are the mismatches? And how negligible they become when moving from high-quality data (e.g. acquired with ultra-high-gradients) to clinical-grade data?
As a starting point, I proposed to implement using containers several of the common workflows and start looking at simple comparisons (e.g. using scatterplot and correlation). The use of containers will guarantee high reproducibility and will easily allow to process multiple datasets, even locally or on cloud systems. Given the high number of approaches proposed so far, a potential direction could be to open a "call for workflows", for a larger comparison.

Data to use:

• MICRA dataset;
• datasets from OpenNeuro/Datalad;

Link to project repository/sources:
I will open a repo on my Github account.

Goals for Brainhack Global 2020:

• a collection of reproducible microstructural workflow;
• preliminary results for inter-workflow comparisons;
• a plan of action to follow up the hackathon;

Good first issues:

1. identify good datasets to use;
2. implement a NODDI workflow (using AMICO) in a container;
3. implement a CHARMED workflow (using MDT) in a container;
4. implement an SMT workflow in a container;
5. formulate an efficient way to compare (potentially) many approaches;

Skills:
Desirable:

• Experience with any tool for microstructural MRI (e.g. MDT);
• Experience with Docker;

Tools/Software/Methods to Use:
Some methods to start with:

• NODDI;
• CHARMED;
• SMT;
• WMTI;
• Ball and Sticks;
  Some potential tools to use:
• AMICO;
• MDT;
• DIPY;
• FSL;

Communication channels:
I'll open the channel #microstructural-variations in Mattermost
A Zoom meeting will be set up and the link will be privately shared with interested participants.

Project labels

• Type of project:
  coding_methods, data_management, documentation, method_development,
  #pipeline_development, tutorial_recording, #visualization

• Project development status:
  #0_concept_no_content, 1_basic structure, 2_releases_existing

• Topic of the projet:
  Bayesian_approaches, causality, connectome, data_visualisation, deep_learning,
  #diffusion, diversity_inclusivity_equality, EEG_EventRelatedResponseModelling,
  EEG_source_modelling, Granger_causality, hypothesis_testing, ICA, information_theory,
  machine_learning, #MR_methodologies, neural_decoding, neural_encoding, neural_networks,
  PCA, physiology, reinforcement_learning, #reproducible_scientific_methods, single_neuron_models,
  statistical_modelling, systems_neuroscience, tractography

• Tools used in the project:
  AFNI, ANTs, BIDS, Brainstorm, CPAC, #Datalad, #DIPY, FieldTrip, fMRIPrep, Freesurfer,
  #FSL, Jupyter, MNE, MRtrix, Nipype, NWB, SPM

• Tools skill level required to enter the project (more than one possible):
  #comfortable, expert, #familiar, no_skills_required

• Programming language used in the project:
  no_programming_involved, C++, #containerization, documentation, Java, Julia, Matlab,
  #Python, R, #shell_scripting, #Unix_command_line, Web, workflows

• Modalities involved in the project (if any):
  behavioral, #DWI, ECG, ECOG, EEG, eye_tracking, fMRI, fNIRS, MEG, MRI, PET, TDCS, TMS

• Git skills reuired to enter the project (more than one possible):
  #0_no_git_skills, #1_commit_push, 2_branches_PRs, 3_continuous_integration

• [*] I added all of the labels I want to associate to my project

Project Submission

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• Link to your project: could be a code repository, a shared document, etc.
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