qMRI-BIDS: An extension to the brain imaging data structure for quantitative magnetic resonance imaging data

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Biophysics
• Data Science

Background:

• The Brain Imaging Data Structure (BIDS) standardizes neuroimaging data organization.
• Existing BIDS guidelines primarily focused on functional MRI, lacking comprehensive support for multimodal structural MRI datasets.
• Quantitative MRI (qMRI) aims to characterize brain microstructure by quantifying physical MR parameters using biophysical models.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and describe the BIDS Extension Proposal 001 (BEP001).
• To extend BIDS to include standardized organization for quantitative MRI (qMRI) data.
• To facilitate the standardization and multicenter dissemination of interoperable qMRI datasets.

Main Methods:

• Development and proposal of the BIDS Extension Proposal 001 (BEP001).
• Defining metadata and data organization structures for various qMRI applications within the BIDS framework.
• Leveraging existing BIDS principles for neuroimaging data and metadata organization.

Main Results:

• BEP001 successfully extends BIDS to accommodate a range of quantitative MRI applications.
• The proposed standard provides a common framework for organizing qMRI data, enhancing interoperability.
• This extension facilitates the exchange of novel qMRI imaging data and analysis tools.

Conclusions:

• The BIDS extension for qMRI reduces the barrier to entry for qMRI in neuroimaging research.
• Standardization through BIDS promotes the convergence of qMRI methods development and application-driven studies.
• This initiative supports the development of quantitative biomarkers for neural tissue characterization.