Hranilovich JA, Legget KT, Dodd KC, Wylie KP, Tregellas JR. Functional magnetic resonance imaging of headache: Issues, best-practices, and new directions, a narrative review.
Headache 2023;
63:309-321. [PMID:
36942411 PMCID:
PMC10089616 DOI:
10.1111/head.14487]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To ensure readers are informed consumers of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) research in headache, to outline ongoing challenges in this area of research, and to describe potential considerations when asked to collaborate on fMRI research in headache, as well as to suggest future directions for improvement in the field.
BACKGROUND
Functional MRI has played a key role in understanding headache pathophysiology, and mapping networks involved with headache-related brain activity have the potential to identify intervention targets. Some investigators have also begun to explore its use for diagnosis.
METHODS/RESULTS
The manuscript is a narrative review of the current best practices in fMRI in headache research, including guidelines on transparency and reproducibility. It also contains an outline of the fundamentals of MRI theory, task-related study design, resting-state functional connectivity, relevant statistics and power analysis, image preprocessing, and other considerations essential to the field.
CONCLUSION
Best practices to increase reproducibility include methods transparency, eliminating error, using a priori hypotheses and power calculations, using standardized instruments and diagnostic criteria, and developing large-scale, publicly available datasets.
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