PyMVPA: A python toolbox for multivariate pattern analysis of fMRI data

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Bibliographic Details
Title: PyMVPA: A python toolbox for multivariate pattern analysis of fMRI data
Authors: Hanke, Michael, Halchenko, Yaroslav O., Sederberg, Per B., Hanson, Stephen José, Haxby, James V., Pollmann, Stefan
Source: Faculty Publications
Publisher Information: Digital Commons @ NJIT
Publication Year: 2009
Collection: Digital Commons @ New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT)
Subject Terms: Functional magnetic resonance imaging, Image analysis, Machine learning, MVPA, Neuroimaging software, Python, Scripting
Description: Decoding patterns of neural activity onto cognitive states is one of the central goals of functional brain imaging. Standard univariate fMRI analysis methods, which correlate cognitive and perceptual function with the blood oxygenation-level dependent (BOLD) signal, have proven successful in identifying anatomical regions based on signal increases during cognitive and perceptual tasks. Recently, researchers have begun to explore new multivariate techniques that have proven to be more flexible, more reliable, and more sensitive than standard univariate analysis. Drawing on the field of statistical learning theory, these new classifier-based analysis techniques possess explanatory power that could provide new insights into the functional properties of the brain. However, unlike the wealth of software packages for univariate analyses, there are few packages that facilitate multivariate pattern classification analyses of fMRI data. Here we introduce a Python-based, cross-platform, and open-source software toolbox, called PyMVPA, for the application of classifier-based analysis techniques to fMRI datasets. PyMVPA makes use of Python's ability to access libraries written in a large variety of programming languages and computing environments to interface with the wealth of existing machine learning packages. We present the framework in this paper and provide illustrative examples on its usage, features, and programmability. © 2009 Humana Press Inc.
Document Type: text
Language: unknown
Relation: https://digitalcommons.njit.edu/fac_pubs/12149
DOI: 10.1007/s12021-008-9041-y
Availability: https://digitalcommons.njit.edu/fac_pubs/12149
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12021-008-9041-y
Accession Number: edsbas.42C72E55
Database: BASE
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