The genetics-BIDS extension: Easing the search for genetic data associated with human brain imaging

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Genetics
• Bioinformatics

Background:

• Databases require metadata for effective searching.
• Brain imaging genetics integrates neuroscience and genetics, each with existing data standards.
• Discovering links between molecular features and brain imaging data is challenging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce the genetics Brain Imaging Data Structure extension.
• To facilitate the linking of metadata for human brain imaging data with genomic and transcriptomic data.
• To improve data aggregation across studies by connecting micro-scale molecular features with macro-scale imaging repositories.

Main Methods:

• Developed metadata files for the genetics Brain Imaging Data Structure extension.
• Described the association of genomic and transcriptomic data with brain imaging data.
• Ensured compatibility with existing data dictionaries and ontologies.

Main Results:

• The genetics Brain Imaging Data Structure extension provides standardized metadata for brain imaging genetics.
• Successfully linked metadata across different databases containing imaging, genomic, and transcriptomic data.
• Demonstrated the feasibility of identifying micro-scale molecular features linked to macro-scale imaging data.

Conclusions:

• The genetics Brain Imaging Data Structure extension enhances data discoverability and aggregation in brain imaging genetics.
• Facilitates cross-disciplinary research by standardizing metadata linkage.
• Supports the identification of molecular underpinnings of brain imaging phenotypes.