You can help research into brain diseases by looking at brain scans
Researchers are working to improve human health and wellbeing using brain scans. Brain scans, such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging scans, are used to study conditions such as dementia and schizophrenia.
Researchers can map out the wiring of the brain using a technique called diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging. It’s important the wiring is mapped correctly.
We would like your help to tell us which images haven’t turned out right.
Researchers rely on computers to draw parts on the brain from scans. They don’t get it right 100% of the time. We need humans to check what the computers have produced. As we now work with very large studies, we have thousands of images – too many for one person to review!
NeuroSwipe uses an automated fibre-tracking method by Dr Greg Parker (CUBRIC, Cardiff University). Dr Parker’s software is based on ExploreDTI (1), a graphical toolbox, developed by Prof Alexander Leemans (PROVIDI Lab, University Medical Center Utrecht), for exploratory diffusion (tensor) MRI and fibre tractography.
This research was undertaken using data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). We are extremely grateful to all the families who took part in this study, the midwives for their help in recruiting them, and the whole ALSPAC team, which includes interviewers, computer and laboratory technicians, clerical workers, research scientists, volunteers, managers, receptionists and nurses.
1. Leemans A, Jeurissen B, Sijbers J, and Jones DK. ExploreDTI: a graphical toolbox for processing, analyzing, and visualizing diffusion MR data. In: 17th Annual Meeting of Intl Soc Mag Reson Med, p. 3537, Hawaii, USA, 2009
The NeuroSwipe website was co-produced with the assistance of Diverse Cymru. It was funded by a Wellcome Trust Institution Strategic Support Fund Grant for a proof-of-concept public engagement study