(more detailed outline)

Content: The organization and content of this program is diagrammed below (and on the downloadable program descriptions available from the web, above). It is designed to provide a thorough grounding in the active use of SPM8 for the analysis of functional MRI data using the general linear model. The workshop will start with a focus on the fundamentals of using the core SPM8 functions for preprocessing, statistical modeling and visualization of data associated with a simple fMRI experimental design. Then increasingly complex designs, including group comparisons, will be examined. Lectures will be linked with interactive tutorial exercises that will provide participants with experience using SPM8 at each stage. Anyone planning to use SPM as their primary statistical analysis and preprocessing software package should benefit from this program.

Prerequisites: Knowledge. Participants are expected to come to the workshop with a reasonably solid knowledge of functional MRI as an experimental tool, and the basic ideas of analysis and statistics. Various concepts within that knowledge base will be briefly reviewed in the context of demonstrating how they are used during fmri data analysis in SPM8.

Prerequisites: Hardware. The presentations will include demonstrations and tutorials utilizing SPM8 and various related software tools. Participants are expected to bring a laptop with MATLAB, SPM8 and MRIcron already installed. Please keep in mind that the laptop should have its own Matlab license, or be able to access a matlab license over the web. More information about this aspect of the program can be found at • • Preparing Your Laptop • •.

Background: One of the key reasons for the development of this program is the difficulty of balancing theory and theoretical knowledge with the practicalities of hands-on data analysis. The Visiting Fellowship Program in Functional MRI is a 5-day program that is devoted to the theory of data analysis, as well as both the theory and practicalities of designing and running fMRI-based experiments. However, it does not attempt to teach the practicalities of any one software package. The present program is one way to complement the fMRIVFP, using SPM8. (Other workshops exist for training with other software packages.)
      Finally, a word about the duration of the program. Experience across several briefer workshops led us to the conclusion that an initial portion---which emphasizes the environment of Matlab, as well as some of the non-standard "basic" aspects of SPM8---was essential to permit the group to move at a faster pace during the remainder of the program. To make hands-on training work, ample time must be available for the hands-on activities, without losing the more extended interactive time during the formal training portions to discuss specific user questions.

• Network Analysis with SPM8 (previously titled "Causal and Multivariate Analysis with SPM8")
Introduction: While massively univariate statistical techniques are commonly used for modeling fMRI data, there is growing concern that these methods may not fully capture the essential aspects of information transfer in the context of modeling brain and behavior relationships. This workshop will provide an introduction to the collection of functional neuroimaging analysis techniques that are of potential use in characterizing the interactions among regions responsible for perception, cognition and action. We will explore these techniques by discussing both conceptual and practical issues associated with their use. SPM8 and its extensions will be used in a series of practical demonstrations.

Content Specific topics to be discussed will include functional connectivity, effective connectivity, independent components analysis (ICA), psychophysiological interactions (PPI), dynamic causal modeling (DCM), structural equation modeling (SEM) and mediation analysis.


• Getting Started with SPM8
This was a one-day workshop designed to give new investigators a broad understanding of the SPM8 approach to fMRI data analysis. A basic familiarity with fMRI-based experimental design was assumed, but nothing more. This program has largely been replaced by what is now the first day of the SPM8 for Basic and Clinical Investigators.

• Basics Workshop
This was a two- or three-day workshop designed for investigators having familiarity with the basic principles of fMRI data acquisition and analysis, as well as having substantial practical experience using SPM. This program has largely been replaced by what are now the middle three days of the SPM8 for Basic and Clinical Investigators.

• Group Analysis using SPM8
A program under consideration as an expansion of what is now the fourth day of the SPM8 for Basic and Clinical Investigators.

• Multi-Modality using SPM8
A program under consideration that would explore the use of SPM8 for the analysis of imaging data obtained from a variety of imaging modalities other than functional MRI. Conceptual and practical issues associated with the analysis and integration of MRI, PET, EEG, MEG NIRS, and DTI data would be discussed.