Researchers and clinicians use imaging software to analyze data from an MRI.
The most common brain imaging techniques are magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET). MRI is a better technique for imaging brain structures, whereas either technique can be used to image brain function. Many different companies sell brain imaging software for use with MRI or PET or both.
Imaging Software for Brain Structure
MRI scans provide excellent soft tissue contrast. Accordingly, researchers and clinicians commonly use this imaging modality to image the structure of the brain. The Mayo Clinic sells a software package called "Analyze" that allows researchers and clinicians to examine and analyze brain structural data from an MRI.
Imaging Software for Brain Function
MRI and PET imaging can be used to examine brain function. For example, a researcher or clinician can present a stimulus, such as an infusion of a drug or a video presentation of a movie, to a subject and determine which parts of the subject's brain are activated by that stimulus. The Wellcome Trust for Neuroimaging provides a statistical parametric mapping or SPM software package for analyzing functional PET or MRI data, at no charge. However, this package runs in a MATLAB environment, so a copy of MATLAB must be installed for it to run.
Imaging Software for Other Uses
Some brain imaging software can be used for other purposes. For example, MRI can be used to measure white matter tracks in the brain. These tracks convey information between different parts of the brain. Researchers and clinicians can use software provided free of charge by the University of Oxford Department of Clinical Neurology called FSL to analyze the integrity of these tracks and their paths.
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