Spatio-temporal data analysis with non-linear filters: Brain mapping with fMRI data

Abstract

Spatio-temporal digital data from fMRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging) are used to analyse and to model brain activation. To map brain functions, a well-defined sensory activation is offered to a test person and the hemodynamic response to neuronal activity is studied. This so-called BOLD effect in fMRI is typically small and characterised by a very low signal to noise ratio. Hence the activation is repeated and the three dimensional signal (multi-slice 2D) is gathered during relatively long time ranges (3-5 min). From the noisy and distorted spatio-temporal signal the expected response has to be filtered out. Presented methods of spatio-temporal signal processing base on non-linear concepts of data reconstruction and filters of mathematical morphology (e.g. alternating sequential morphological filters). Filters applied are compared by classifications of activations.