A Web-based tutorial for statistical analysis of fMRI data

Abstract

A dearth of educational material exists for functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), a relatively new tool used in neuroscience research. A computer demonstration for understanding statistical analysis in fMRI was developed in Matlab, along with an accompanying tutorial for its users. The demo makes use of Dview, an existing software package for viewing 3D brain data, and utilizes precomputed data to improve interactivity. The demo and client were used in an HST graduate course in methods for acquisition and analysis of fMRI data. For wider accessibility, a Web-based version of the demo was designed with a client/server architecture. The Java client has a layered design for flexibility, and the Matlab server interfaces with Dview to take advantage of its functionality. The client and server communicate via a simple protocol through the Matlab Web Server. The Web-based version of the demo was implemented successfully. Future work includes implementation of additional demo features and expansion of the tutorial before dissemination to a wider group of medical and neuroscience researchers.