Before we start


  • Python is an open source and platform independent programming language.
  • Jupyter Notebook is a great tool to code in and interact with Python.
  • With the large Python community it is easy to find help on the internet.

From the scanner to our computer


  • MRI can capture anatomical (structural), functional, or diffusion features.
  • A number of file formats exist to store neuroimaging data.

Anatomy of a NIfTI


  • NIfTI image contain a header, which describes the contents, and the data.
  • The position of the NIfTI data in space is determined by the affine matrix.
  • NIfTI data is a multi-dimensional array of values.

Data organization with BIDS


  • BIDS is an organizational principle for neuroimaging data.
  • Converting a raw MRI dataset to a BIDS-compatible dataset streamlines data processing pipelines.

Exploring open MRI datasets


  • Public neuroimaging BIDS-compatible data repositories allow for pulling data easily.
  • PyBIDS is a Python-based tool that allows for easy exploration of BIDS-formatted neuroimaging data.

BIDS derivatives


  • BIDS Apps are containerized applications that run on BIDS-compatible datasets.