SPAMRI: A MATLAB Toolbox for Surface-Based Processing and Analysis of Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Computational Neuroscience
• Medical Image Analysis

Background:

• Structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is crucial for studying brain aging and psychiatric disorders.
• Existing tools for surface-based analysis of structural MRI lack user-friendliness.
• A need exists for integrated, accessible software for advanced neuroimaging analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and introduce SPAMRI, a user-friendly MATLAB toolbox for surface-based processing and analysis of structural MRI data.
• To provide a comprehensive solution for neuroimaging analysis, from quality checking to statistical reporting.
• To facilitate research into brain morphology, aging, and disease.

Main Methods:

• Developed SPAMRI, an open-source MATLAB package with a graphical user interface (GUI).
• Integrated functions from FreeSurfer, CAT, and ANTs for robust surface analysis.
• Included tools for quality checking (e.g., Talairach transform, skull stripping, surface reconstruction), statistical analysis, and data conversion.

Main Results:

• SPAMRI successfully processed a structural MRI dataset of young and old adults.
• Analysis revealed significantly decreased cortical thickness in older adults, particularly in the prefrontal cortex.
• The findings support the utility of SPAMRI in detecting age-related morphological changes.

Conclusions:

• SPAMRI offers a user-friendly, versatile platform for surface-based structural MRI analysis.
• The toolbox simplifies complex neuroimaging workflows, enhancing research accessibility.
• SPAMRI facilitates the investigation of structural brain changes associated with aging and disease.