| A Spatial Analysis of Brain Imaging Data |
| Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is a relatively inexpensive imaging technique used for clinical studies of the brain. SPECT involves the detection of photons emitted from a radionuclide source introduced to the patient’s body, followed by the creation and amplification of an electrical signal measured as a signal intensity. Low resolution and high variability lead to low signal-to-noise, making the detection of changes in signal within regions of interest difficult. To improve the signal-to-noise ratio and increase the sensitivity of statistical tests, we are investigating spatial statistical methods to identify changes in signal intensity. Rather than concentrating on individual volume elements (voxels) and performing a voxel-by-voxel analysis, we isolate physical and functional structures of interest within the brain using an appropriate coordinate transformation based on the Talairach atlas. The correlation of signal intensities within structures of interest may extend several millimeters in length. Modeling SPECT data using spatial statistical theory allows us to take advantage of the correlation structure and compare volume averages appropriately. Initial investigations of this application of spatial modeling techniques are demonstrated using data from 39 subjects directly or indirectly involved in the Gulf War, 22 who were identified by other procedures as having Gulf War Syndrome. |
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Jeff Spence Southern Methodist University Student Poster Session |
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April 4-5, 2003
Texas A&M University
College Station, TX
Email:
cots@stat.tamu.edu
Fax: (979) 845-3144
Phone: (979) 845-3141