Accelerating Research on Brain Aging: Enabling Brain Imaging Data Sharing in the Open Science Landscape

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Medical Imaging
• Data Science

Background:

• Age-associated diseases, particularly neurodegenerative disorders, pose a growing global health challenge.
• Effective diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment require advanced approaches, including imaging biomarkers.
• Current scientific collaboration is hindered by substantial barriers to sharing neuroimaging data.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive overview of brain imaging data sharing in neurodegenerative disease research.
• To explore challenges and best practices in data generation, accessibility, and reuse.
• To advocate for open science practices and improved data stewardship.

Main Methods:

• Review of current landscape of brain imaging data sharing practices.
• Exploration of preregistration, data harmonization, storage standardization, legal compliance, and researcher incentives.
• Identification of best practices and recommendations for overcoming barriers.

Main Results:

• Significant technical, infrastructural, legal, and motivational barriers impede open science in neuroimaging.
• A need exists for coordinated strategies, simplified legal frameworks (e.g., GDPR compliant), and standardized data practices.
• Current data sharing practices lack sufficient incentives and recognition for data stewardship.

Conclusions:

• Overcoming inertia in neuroimaging data sharing requires a concerted effort from researchers, stakeholders, and funding agencies.
• Investment in infrastructure, community education, and academic credit for data stewardship are essential.
• Implementing open science practices will accelerate scientific discovery and improve patient outcomes in neurodegenerative diseases.