OCEAN: One-stop-shop microstructure-sensitive perfusion/diffusion MRI: Application to vascular cognitive impairment
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Sheffield
Department Name: Electronic and Electrical Engineering
Abstract
The term "dementia" is used to describe a syndrome that results, initially, in cognitive function impairment and in many cases, a descending staircase of psychological dysfunction, leading eventually to death.
It is a major socio-economic challenge with care costs approaching 1% of global GDP. Several conditions that lead to serious loss of cognitive ability are grouped under this syndrome, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Vascular Dementia (VaD), Frontotemporal Dementia, etc. A high publicity announcement was made in 2012, by the Prime Minister, emphasising the high priority that should be given to dementia-related research and that funding will more than double in the immediate future, to partially remedy the fact that the overwhelming impact of the syndrome has been over-looked (Guardian, 26/3/12). On Dec 2013, the G8 Summit hosted in London brought together G8 ministers, researchers, pharmaceutical companies, and charities to develop co-ordinated global action on dementia.
Dementia has marked adverse effects on the quality of life of tens of millions of people (both patients and carers) and exerts tremendous pressure on healthcare systems, especially when clear trends towards an ageing population, changing environmental influences and contemporary lifestyle choices are considered. Ca. 35M people suffer from dementia worldwide, a figure to quadruple by 2050. Europe and North America share a disproportionally high burden: the effects of ageing are particularly stark for these regions, exacerbating the healthcare provision implications.
The Clinical Relevance: Vascular Cognitive Impairment (VCI). VCI defines alterations in cognition attributable to cerebrovascular causes, ranging from subtle or fixed deficits to full-blown dementia. VCI is a wide and accepted term referring to the "syndrome with evidence of clinical stroke or subclinical vascular brain injury and cognitive impairment affecting at least one cognitive domain", with resulting VaD being its most severe form. VaD is responsible for at least 20% of dementias, second only to AD, with a prevalence doubling every 5. 3 years. Several trials examined cholinesterase inhibitors for the treatment of vascular dementia, but the benefits are very modest, except in the individuals with a combination of AD and VaD. Vascular changes result in white matter (WM) damage (leukoaraiosis), which profoundly affect the fidelity of the information transfer underlying brain function and cognitive health8.
Cerebral Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of Diffusion and Perfusion. MRI is a medical imaging technique affording non-invasive investigation of anatomy and tissue function, which is particularly suited to studying cognitive disorders due to its sensitivity and reliability. Our main interest is to characterise vascular and non-vascular tissues using quantitative diffusion and perfusion MR. Our overall aim is to characterise and quantify early differential alterations in brain blood transport and subsequent microstructural tissue damage using one-stop-shop perfusion/diffusion MR GSI incorporating novel MR signal models and optimal MR sequence design based on new human brain histomorphometric data in health and disease.
It is a major socio-economic challenge with care costs approaching 1% of global GDP. Several conditions that lead to serious loss of cognitive ability are grouped under this syndrome, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Vascular Dementia (VaD), Frontotemporal Dementia, etc. A high publicity announcement was made in 2012, by the Prime Minister, emphasising the high priority that should be given to dementia-related research and that funding will more than double in the immediate future, to partially remedy the fact that the overwhelming impact of the syndrome has been over-looked (Guardian, 26/3/12). On Dec 2013, the G8 Summit hosted in London brought together G8 ministers, researchers, pharmaceutical companies, and charities to develop co-ordinated global action on dementia.
Dementia has marked adverse effects on the quality of life of tens of millions of people (both patients and carers) and exerts tremendous pressure on healthcare systems, especially when clear trends towards an ageing population, changing environmental influences and contemporary lifestyle choices are considered. Ca. 35M people suffer from dementia worldwide, a figure to quadruple by 2050. Europe and North America share a disproportionally high burden: the effects of ageing are particularly stark for these regions, exacerbating the healthcare provision implications.
The Clinical Relevance: Vascular Cognitive Impairment (VCI). VCI defines alterations in cognition attributable to cerebrovascular causes, ranging from subtle or fixed deficits to full-blown dementia. VCI is a wide and accepted term referring to the "syndrome with evidence of clinical stroke or subclinical vascular brain injury and cognitive impairment affecting at least one cognitive domain", with resulting VaD being its most severe form. VaD is responsible for at least 20% of dementias, second only to AD, with a prevalence doubling every 5. 3 years. Several trials examined cholinesterase inhibitors for the treatment of vascular dementia, but the benefits are very modest, except in the individuals with a combination of AD and VaD. Vascular changes result in white matter (WM) damage (leukoaraiosis), which profoundly affect the fidelity of the information transfer underlying brain function and cognitive health8.
Cerebral Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of Diffusion and Perfusion. MRI is a medical imaging technique affording non-invasive investigation of anatomy and tissue function, which is particularly suited to studying cognitive disorders due to its sensitivity and reliability. Our main interest is to characterise vascular and non-vascular tissues using quantitative diffusion and perfusion MR. Our overall aim is to characterise and quantify early differential alterations in brain blood transport and subsequent microstructural tissue damage using one-stop-shop perfusion/diffusion MR GSI incorporating novel MR signal models and optimal MR sequence design based on new human brain histomorphometric data in health and disease.
Planned Impact
Dementia already is one of society's biggest medical challenges. No cures are so far available. Yet, research is intense and strong candidate therapies are on the horizon. Given the variety of causes and aetiologies of dementia, reliable identification of the underlying pathologies is a requisite for therapy effectiveness. Differential diagnosis is therefore key. Effectiveness, also, is greatly modulated by the level of disease progression in individuals. Even where outright cure is unrealistic, evidence already suggests that lifestyle changes and other treatments can delay the progression of symptoms, provided these are identified sufficiently early. This is of enormous significance to sufferers and their families. Societal economic implications aside, the quality of life benefits for sufferers from prolonged independence, and the emotional and financial alleviation for families and carers are substantial. Early diagnosis is therefore key. It is in the provision of differential and early diagnosis that the technologies developed within OCEAN can have a serious impact.
Knowledge management and exchange with other key EU-, RCUK- and NIHR-funded initiatives. To maximise synergies with other relevant initiatives and ensure knowledge cross-fertilisation, we set up a Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) experienced in relevant engineering and physical sciences and with a track record of clinical translation of research results. This cadre of academics includes world class scientists in the areas of MR diffusion imaging, medical image computing, and computational modelling.
Industrial engagement and commercial take-up. Several companies are committed to OCEAN thus incorporating a technological and exploitation dimension from the outset of the project. Companies were selected to cover all key areas and technologies in OCEAN where exploitable outcomes or collaborations are anticipated; previous or ongoing research collaborations were also accounted. Statements of support are appended.
Microscopy data will be made available to community. OCEAN is committed to making the multimodal image database of light and electron microscopy and 7T MRI brain tissue data available online by the end of the project. We shall also make available the quantitative statistics of microstructural composition and properties. Access to this unique resource will be made online via a project portal built and
managed jointly by SITraN and CISTIB-INSIGNEO.
MR GSI Image Analysis & Visualisation Tool. Once validation of the modelling methodologies has taken place, these tools will be made available to the wider clinical and research community. We plan to prototype an MR GSI Image Analysis & Visualisation Tool based on GIMIAS (www.gimias.org), an open-source platform developed at CISTIB.
From proof of principle and feasibility to demonstration of clinical impact. Once we have established the feasibility of MR GSI and evaluated it in simulation, phantom studies and short series of volunteers, we will seek follow-up funding streams to conduct a clinical proof-of-concept in a large cohort. This will be designed to assess the effectiveness of MR GSI for early detection of VCI-related disorders and, importantly, the differentiation of pathological mechanisms that is essential for therapy formulation.
Engaging patient and public in research through the Dementia Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) group. We have partnered with the Alzheimer's Society, which will contribute two volunteers in our Scientific and Clinical Advisory Boards, respectively. Funds have been set apart according to the INVOLVE guidance to facilitate the participation of these volunteers.
Knowledge management and exchange with other key EU-, RCUK- and NIHR-funded initiatives. To maximise synergies with other relevant initiatives and ensure knowledge cross-fertilisation, we set up a Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) experienced in relevant engineering and physical sciences and with a track record of clinical translation of research results. This cadre of academics includes world class scientists in the areas of MR diffusion imaging, medical image computing, and computational modelling.
Industrial engagement and commercial take-up. Several companies are committed to OCEAN thus incorporating a technological and exploitation dimension from the outset of the project. Companies were selected to cover all key areas and technologies in OCEAN where exploitable outcomes or collaborations are anticipated; previous or ongoing research collaborations were also accounted. Statements of support are appended.
Microscopy data will be made available to community. OCEAN is committed to making the multimodal image database of light and electron microscopy and 7T MRI brain tissue data available online by the end of the project. We shall also make available the quantitative statistics of microstructural composition and properties. Access to this unique resource will be made online via a project portal built and
managed jointly by SITraN and CISTIB-INSIGNEO.
MR GSI Image Analysis & Visualisation Tool. Once validation of the modelling methodologies has taken place, these tools will be made available to the wider clinical and research community. We plan to prototype an MR GSI Image Analysis & Visualisation Tool based on GIMIAS (www.gimias.org), an open-source platform developed at CISTIB.
From proof of principle and feasibility to demonstration of clinical impact. Once we have established the feasibility of MR GSI and evaluated it in simulation, phantom studies and short series of volunteers, we will seek follow-up funding streams to conduct a clinical proof-of-concept in a large cohort. This will be designed to assess the effectiveness of MR GSI for early detection of VCI-related disorders and, importantly, the differentiation of pathological mechanisms that is essential for therapy formulation.
Engaging patient and public in research through the Dementia Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) group. We have partnered with the Alzheimer's Society, which will contribute two volunteers in our Scientific and Clinical Advisory Boards, respectively. Funds have been set apart according to the INVOLVE guidance to facilitate the participation of these volunteers.
Organisations
- University of Sheffield (Lead Research Organisation)
- UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS (Collaboration)
- University of Manchester (Project Partner)
- Atomic Energy and Alternative Energies Commission (Project Partner)
- Philips (Germany) (Project Partner)
- Siemens plc (UK) (Project Partner)
- Alzheimer's Society (Project Partner)
- University of Cambridge (Project Partner)
- University of Antwerp (Project Partner)
- Novartis (Switzerland) (Project Partner)
- IXICO Technologies Ltd (Project Partner)
- Icometrix (Belgium) (Project Partner)
- ESI (United States) (Project Partner)
- Micro Dimensions (Project Partner)
- Hamamatsu Photonics (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
Publications
AlbĂ X
(2018)
Automatic initialization and quality control of large-scale cardiac MRI segmentations.
in Medical image analysis
Beltrachini L
(2015)
A parametric finite element solution of the generalised Bloch-Torrey equation for arbitrary domains.
in Journal of magnetic resonance (San Diego, Calif. : 1997)
Beltrachini L
(2016)
Computational Diffusion MRI
Coelho S
(2018)
Local volume fraction distributions of axons, astrocytes, and myelin in deep subcortical white matter.
in NeuroImage
Coelho S
(2019)
Histological data of axons, astrocytes, and myelin in deep subcortical white matter populations.
in Data in brief
Coelho S
(2019)
Resolving degeneracy in diffusion MRI biophysical model parameter estimation using double diffusion encoding.
in Magnetic resonance in medicine
De Marco M
(2017)
Machine-learning Support to Individual Diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment Using Multimodal MRI and Cognitive Assessments.
in Alzheimer disease and associated disorders
Di Marco LY
(2015)
Vascular dysfunction in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease--A review of endothelium-mediated mechanisms and ensuing vicious circles.
in Neurobiology of disease
Fathi Kazerooni A
(2018)
Characterization of active and infiltrative tumorous subregions from normal tissue in brain gliomas using multiparametric MRI.
in Journal of magnetic resonance imaging : JMRI
Fathi Kazerooni A
(2020)
Diffusion MRI for Assessment of Bone Quality; A Review of Findings in Healthy Aging and Osteoporosis.
in Journal of magnetic resonance imaging : JMRI
Frangi AF
(2016)
Precision Imaging: more descriptive, predictive and integrative imaging.
in Medical image analysis
Grech-Sollars M
(2018)
Stability and reproducibility of co-electrospun brain-mimicking phantoms for quality assurance of diffusion MRI sequences.
in NeuroImage
Guo L
(2018)
Subject-specific multi-poroelastic model for exploring the risk factors associated with the early stages of Alzheimer's disease.
in Interface focus
Lashgari M
(2022)
Three-dimensional micro-structurally informed in silico myocardium-Towards virtual imaging trials in cardiac diffusion weighted MRI.
in Medical image analysis
McHugh DJ
(2018)
A biomimetic tumor tissue phantom for validating diffusion-weighted MRI measurements.
in Magnetic resonance in medicine
Mozumder M
(2019)
Quantitative histomorphometry of capillary microstructure in deep white matter.
in NeuroImage. Clinical
Mozumder M
(2018)
Simultaneous magnetic resonance diffusion and pseudo-diffusion tensor imaging.
in Magnetic resonance in medicine
Mozumder M
(2019)
Population-based Bayesian regularization for microstructural diffusion MRI with NODDIDA.
in Magnetic resonance in medicine
Parto Dezfouli MA
(2017)
Quantification of 1 H-MRS signals based on sparse metabolite profiles in the time-frequency domain.
in NMR in biomedicine
Ravikumar N
(2019)
Generalised coherent point drift for group-wise multi-dimensional analysis of diffusion brain MRI data.
in Medical image analysis
Waller R
(2019)
Iba-1-/CD68+ microglia are a prominent feature of age-associated deep subcortical white matter lesions.
in PloS one
Zhou FL
(2018)
Axon mimicking hydrophilic hollow polycaprolactone microfibres for diffusion magnetic resonance imaging.
in Materials & design
Description | We developed a computational framework for simulation of diffusion MRI data and for the generation of realistic models of white matter. This will allow performing sensitivity analysis of diffusion MRI to changes in the white matter due to vascular dementia. We have developed a more robust method to simultaneously estimate diffusion and perfusion directional properties in brain white matter from MRI. We have generated a database of histological images of deep white matter from 90 human subjects from an aging population. This database is stratified in 3 group of 30 subject each according to the presence of subcortical lesion. For each subject, four components have been imaged: axons, mieline, astrocytes, and capillaries. This database has already anable obtaining statistical characterizations of several features of those components in the population. More analysis are currently being carried. This will enable the generation of more specific microstructural models for the analysis of diffusion MRI, and a more specific diagnosis of subcortical lesions in dementia. We have also understood the fundamental cause of the degeneration of existing models like NODDI and NODDIDA. We have proposed solutions to this problem and this led to new MRI schemes to sample the space of diffusion orientations. |
Exploitation Route | The outcomes of this funded program, to be translated to the clinical environment, would need a follow up grant to streamline the process, develop clinical MR acquisition protocols, and accelerated acquisitions. Some of this work will be done in the context of a follow up Marie Curie Innovative Training Network (BQ-MINDED). We will also explore the proposed techniques and their transfer to cardiology and musculoskeletal diseases. |
Sectors | Education Healthcare Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
Description | The project has led to a collaboration with a company in the Sheffield area that develops advanced data sharing middlewares. We created a joint video explaining, in lay terms, the impact of this technology and our group's research in this context. The video is available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VG8lSGWIbY0&list=PLup8cbzcK-NOf4ZTeYNJhPq_dmvl42_ot The work has also led to the training of a PhD student, Santiago Coelho https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?did=2&uin=uk.bl.ethos.798018 who visited the group of Dimitry Novikov https://med.nyu.edu/faculty/dmitry-novikov in NYU Langone Health. Santiago is now doing a postdoctoral stay in that group. The project inspired the BQ-MINDED Marie Curie Training Network (https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/764513) activities led by Leeds (we moved from Sheffield to Leeds in 2018) that led to the PhD funding for Mojtaba Lashgari and Shokoufeh Golshani. This project extended work in OCEAN on brain MR diffusion to cardiac MR diffusion. This work is under review and will reported in the next round. |
First Year Of Impact | 2018 |
Sector | Healthcare |
Impact Types | Societal Economic |
Description | Breakthroughs in Quantitative Magnetic resonance ImagiNg for improved DEtection of brain Diseases |
Amount | € 3,861,067 (EUR) |
Funding ID | 764513 |
Organisation | European Commission H2020 |
Sector | Public |
Country | Belgium |
Start | 01/2018 |
End | 12/2021 |
Description | CardioX: integrated and quantitative cardiac imaging reports for Precision Cardiology within LTHT |
Amount | ÂŁ79,830 (GBP) |
Funding ID | POC 000041 |
Organisation | Grow MedTech |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2019 |
End | 09/2020 |
Description | Educational Stipend for Students |
Amount | $450 (USD) |
Organisation | International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM) |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United States |
Start | 03/2017 |
End | 04/2017 |
Description | Healthcare Impact Partnership |
Amount | ÂŁ932,050 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/P023509/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2017 |
End | 09/2020 |
Description | INSILEX: Precision Computational Medicine for \textit{in silico} Trials of Medical Devices |
Amount | ÂŁ2,760,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | CiET1819/19 |
Organisation | Royal Academy of Engineering |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 04/2018 |
End | 04/2029 |
Description | Learned Society Fund 16/17 - Funding for conference/workshop attendance |
Amount | ÂŁ500 (GBP) |
Organisation | University of Sheffield |
Department | Learned Societies Fund (University of Sheffield) |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2017 |
End | 04/2017 |
Description | OCEAN: One-stop-shop microstructure-sensitive perfusion/diffusion MRI: Application to vascular cognitive impairment |
Amount | ÂŁ58,452 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/M006328/2 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 11/2018 |
End | 06/2019 |
Description | Royal Society International Exchange |
Amount | ÂŁ12,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | The Royal Society |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2015 |
End | 02/2016 |
Title | Algorithm for the statistical analysis of the axonal orientation distribution in 3D from histological images of 2D slices. |
Description | Algorithm for the statistical analysis of the axonal orientation distribution in 3D from histological images of 2D slices. This algorithm allows testing statistically the agreement of axonal 2D histological images in windows of observation of different scales with a particular class of 3D orientation distributions. |
Type Of Material | Computer model/algorithm |
Year Produced | 2018 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | This algorithm is a crucial part of two journal paper in preparation. This papers will allow to confirm or falsify whether some proposed 3D orientation distribution proposed in micro-structural model for the analysis of diffusion MRI are appropriate. |
Title | Histological images of axons, mieline, astrocites, and colagen, from 30+30+30 subjects. |
Description | Histological images of axons, mieline, astrocites, and colagen, from 90 aging human subjects, stratified in 3 groups of 30 subjects each according to the presence of subcortical lesion. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2017 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | This database is the basis for several papers already submitted or in preparation. They will provide statiscal information on the distribution of several features characterizing each the 4 component (axons, mieline, astrocites, and colagen) in an aging human population. This will anable the generation of more specific microstructural models for the analysis of diffusion MRI, and a more specific diagnosis of subcortical lesions in dementia. |
Title | Microstructure MRI signal model for double-direction diffusion encoding. |
Description | A new diffusion MRI protocol involving two sequential gradient directions for a single signal detection (double-direction diffusion encoding). Based on that the corresponding MRI signal model has been developed. A estimation algorithm has been developed and implemented for the generalization of the microstructural NODDI model to double-direction diffusion encoding. |
Type Of Material | Computer model/algorithm |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | This new protocol is expected to improve the robustness and accuracy of the quantification of the microstructural characteristics of white matter from MRI, reducing the required acquisition time. |
Title | Scanned Tissue Database. Univeristy of Sheffield. |
Description | OCEAN is committed to making the multimodal image database of light and electron microscopy and 7T MRI brain tissue data available online by the end of the project. We shall also make available the quantitative statistics of microstructural composition and properties. Access to this unique resource will be made online via a project portal built and managed jointly by SITraN and CISTIB. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2016 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Initial version of the database with an initial set of data acquired is currently available for internal validation and verification by CISTIB AND SITRaN teams |
Title | Semi-automatic method for the quantification of microglial inflamation from histological images. |
Description | Semi-automatic method for the quantification of microglial inflamation from histological images. This allows quantifying the status of lessions in human brain subcortical deep white matter. It is a crucial element of journal paper in preparation. |
Type Of Material | Computer model/algorithm |
Year Produced | 2018 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | This method allows quantifying the status of lessions in human brain subcortical deep white matter. It is a crucial element of journal paper in preparation. It can also open new collaboration applying the method to different structures and disseases. This is being explored. |
Title | Statistical distribution of volume fractions in deep white matter of axons, mielinated axons, and astrocites. |
Description | Statistical distribution of volume fractions in deep white matter of axons, mielinated axons, and astrocites. The statistical distribution in an aging population has been computed from histological images of deep white matter from 90 human subjects stratified in 3 group of 30 subject each according to the presence of subcortical lesion. The statistical distributions is also accordingly stratified in these 3 groups: lesion, normal appearing white matter, and control. This includes the quantification of statistical differences between the 3 groups. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2018 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | This database is a crucial element of the journal paper Coehlo S, Pozo J M, Costantini M, Highley J R, Mozumder M, Simpson J E, Ince P G, Frangi A F (2018), "Local volume fraction distributions of axons, astrocytes, and myelin in deep subcortical white matter". NeuroImage (submitted). |
Description | Resolving degeneracy in diffusion MRI biophysical model parameter estimation |
Organisation | University of Leeds |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | This was a team effort to explore how extending the dimensionality of the diffusion encoding space (from single axis Stejskal-Tanner to n-dimensional encoding) could ameliorate the challenge of model degeneracy. This is something that CUBRIC has looked at for some time, and (in a separate collaboration with Lund University, we have been looking at the relative benefits of spherical tensor encoding, planar tensor encoding etc.). This has sprung further work (e.g. Direction-averaged diffusion-weighted MRI signal using different axisymmetric B-tensor encoding schemes. Afzali M, Aja-Fernández S, Jones DK. Magn Reson Med. 2020 Sep;84(3):1579-1591. SPHERIOUSLY? The challenges of estimating sphere radius non-invasively in the human brain from diffusion MRI. Afzali M, Nilsson M, Palombo M, Jones DK. Neuroimage. 2021 Aug 15;237:118183. Afzali M, Chatziantoniou C, Tax CMW, Jones DK. 2019. Comparison of different tensor encoding combinations in microstructural parameter estimation. Proc IEEE 16th International Symposium on Biomedical Imaging (ISBI 2019) pp. 1471-1474. Afzali M, Tax CMW, Chatziantoniou C, Jones DK. Comparison of different tensor encoding combinations in microstructural parameter estimation. International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, Montreal, 2019 - see: https://cds.ismrm.org/protected/19MProceedings/PDFfiles/0060.html |
Collaborator Contribution | As noted above, this was a productive collaboration where both sides contributed equally to discussion, analysis of simulations through a series of online conversations and face-to-face chats (in Leeds and Cardiff) |
Impact | Resolving degeneracy in diffusion MRI biophysical model parameter estimation using double diffusion encoding. Coelho S, Pozo JM, Jespersen SN, Jones DK, Frangi AF. Magn Reson Med. 2019 Jul;82(1):395-410 |
Start Year | 2018 |
Description | 2015 Diffusion UK meeting. University of Sheffield |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | This meeting drew together researchers from the field of diffusion MRI. This included academics and PhD students from different institutes within the UK and Ireland. The day included poster and talks given by both senior academics and junior researchers working on the characterisation brain microstructure by means of diffusion MRI. The event was held in the Graduate Teaching Building of the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Sheffield (www.sheffield.ac.uk/faculty/engineering). The meeting had a particular focus on the use of dMRI for finding early biomarkers of neurodegenerative diseases. Presenters included Marc Jones (KCL), Fenglei Zhou (Manchester University), Jonathan Clayden (UCL), Jacques-Donald Tournier (KCL), and Andrada Ianus (UCL). The event had approximately 50 participants either presenting posters or attending the event. The day was led by Leandro Beltrachini (CISTIB, The University of Sheffield). The event was a success, the excellent attendance and the quality of the posters and the presentations were engaging and explored the facets of diffusion MRI. The meeting allowed the attendees to exchange of ideas and the fostering of future collaborations. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
URL | http://www.ocean-mri.org/index.php/news/diffusion-uk-meeting |
Description | British Institute of Radiology Annual Conference - Machine learning for automated reporting using big data, Dr Ali Gooya |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Ali Gooya from the University of Sheffield gave a plenary talk at BIR AC 2016 entitled Machine learning for automated reporting using big data. The main goal was to increase awareness on the role of Machine Learning and Deep Learning in automated medical image analysis and reporting. The audience was very interested in this domain and a number of follow up activities in the network in this space have followed. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2006 |
URL | https://www.bir.org.uk/education-and-events/annual-congress-2016/ |
Description | Development o the physical phantom (Project Meeting) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Nine members of the project from Sheffield and Manchester met to discuss project progress as well to agree on the plan for the development of the physical phantom and explore other opportunities for collaboration |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
URL | http://www.qbi-lab.org/ |
Description | IEEE Trans Med Imaging: Special Issue on Simulation and Synthesis in Medical Image Analysis |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | This special issue and accompanying editorial in one of the top journals of our field, introduces the Special Issue on Simulation and Synthesis in Medical Imaging. This special issue was run between Prof AF Frangi and Dr S Tsaftaris (both from UK) and Prof JL Prince (from Johns Hopkins University). In this editorial, we define so-far ambiguous terms of simulation and synthesis in medical imaging. We also briefly discuss the synergistic importance of mechanistic (hypothesis- driven) and phenomenological (data-driven) models of medical image generation. Finally, we introduce the twelve papers published in this issue covering both mechanistic (5) and phenomenological (7) medical image generation. This rich selection of papers covers applications in cardiology, retinopathy, histopathology, neurosciences, and oncology. It also covers all mainstream diagnostic medical imaging modalities. We conclude the editorial with a personal view on the field and highlight some existing challenges and future research opportunities. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | https://ieee-tmi.org/fast-facts/featured-article.asp?id=28&title=Special-Edition:-Simulation-and-Syn... |
Description | Importance of benchmarking in medical image analysis and related pitfalls |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | International challenges have become the standard for validation of biomedical image analysis methods. Given their scientific impact, it is surprising that a critical analysis of common practices related to the organization of challenges has not yet been performed. In this paper, we present a comprehensive analysis of biomedical image analysis challenges conducted up to now. We demonstrate the importance of challenges and show that the lack of quality control has critical consequences. First, reproducibility and interpretation of the results is often hampered as only a fraction of relevant information is typically provided. Second, the rank of an algorithm is generally not robust to a number of variables such as the test data used for validation, the ranking scheme applied and the observers that make the reference annotations. To overcome these problems, we recommend best practice guidelines and define open research questions to be addressed in the future. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016,2017 |
Description | Kick-Off Meeting. University of Sheffield |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Formal Kick-off meeting attended by all PIs, with the following agenda. 10:00am Welcome, domestics 10:05am Introduction round 10:20am OCEAN: Vision and Overview 10:35am Vascular dementia and the clinical relevance of OCEAN 10:50am Pathology and histology in OCEAN 11:05am Overview of CUBRIC and contributions to OCEAN 11:20am Biomimetic phantom development: update and plans 11:30am CISTIB Update on microstructure and numeric model development 11:45am Discussion and identification of actions to follow on - Identify critical items requiring further discussion 12:15am General coordination and next steps - Histology protocol internal draft, draft to Adv Board - Biomimetic phantom specification: visit to Manchester - Visit to CUBRIC: possibilities of experimental set ups - Other actions emerging from the meeting - Meeting with stakeholders (Industry, Alz Soc, Adv Board) - Updated on job advertisements and recruitment - Institutional Agreements Status 12:30am Conclusions & Meeting Close |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
URL | http://www.ocean-mri.org/ |
Description | Medical Image Computing and COmputer Assisted Interventions 2018 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Prof Alejandro Frangi is General Chair of MICCAI 2018, the premier international conference in Medical Image Analysis. Several other members of MedIAN contribute this year too: Julia Schnabel as Program Chair, Dan Stoyanov as Workshop Chair, Zeike Taylor as Workshop Co-Chair, etc. This conference has been an opportunity for MedIAN to provide leadership to the community and international exposure. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | http://www.miccai2018.org |
Description | Meeting in CUBRIC (Cardiff) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Visit to Derek Jones's group and the new national facilities to evaluate technical progress in the project and identify additional collaborations |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
URL | http://sites.cardiff.ac.uk/cubric/ |
Description | Meeting in Lisbon at the Champalimaud centre for the unknown |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Visit to Noam Shemesh's group to identify new collaborations with key centres/research groups in Europe. Established preliminary lines of collaboration in the lines of this project. Got extremely valuable comments related to the histology protocol |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
URL | http://neuro.fchampalimaud.org/en/research/investigators/research-groups/group/Shemesh/ |
Description | Meeting with Dr Jan Sijbers' group (Virtual) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Virtual meeting with Dr Jan Sijbers' group (Vision Lab, University of Antwerp, Antwerpen, Belgium) for finding new collaborations between the research groups (fifteen attendees). |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
URL | http://visielab.uantwerpen.be/ |
Description | OCEAN General Project Meeting, 16th October 2017 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
Results and Impact | Synchronization of project activities, planning, and cross-fertilization of research ideas. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Presentation at the GLIA workshop. University of Sheffield. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
Results and Impact | Work related to this project (OCEAN) was presented in this workshop aimed to show different angles for studying white matter tissue components. The presentation was entitled "Random generation of white matter models for in silico MRI studies", which is a crucial component of the main proposal (WP. 1). As a result, we established clear links with clinicians working in the field (from both within and outside the University of Sheffield). |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
URL | http://www.ocean-mri.org/ |
Description | Project Meeting June 2015 (Virtual) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | project board teleconference with participation of the different institutions to discuss the following topics 14:00 Histology protocol internal draft, draft to Advisory Board 14:15 Biomimetic phantom specification: visit to Manchester 14:25 Visit to CUBRIC: possibilities of experimental set ups 14:35 Agree dates for meeting with stakeholders (Industry, Alz Soc, Adv Board) 14:45 Update on recruitment 14:55 Institutional Agreements Status 15:00 Project website and mailing lists 15:05 AOB |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | Project meeting September 2015 (Virtual) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Project meeting attended for different project institutions to discuss project progress 14:00 Welcome 14:05 Review outstanding action from last meeting 14:10 Miscellaneous updates: 1. Recruitment: Sheffield (CISTIB, SITRAN), Manchester. 2. Institutional agreement 3. Members area in website 4. Summary of the visit to Manchester 14:30 Progress to date: 1. Microscopy scanner in place 2. IT issues regarding the scanner / Online access to data 3. Test samples from CFAS 4. Imaging update 14:50 Future events: 1. Next Skype meeting 2. Meeting in Sheffield regarding phantom construction (Sept. 2015) 3. Diffusion UK meeting (Nov. 2015) + stakeholders 4. Meeting in Cardiff (Feb. 2016) 15:10 AOB |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Scientific Advisory Board 2015. University of Sheffield |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | The SAB was attended by seventeen people with the agenda below, particularly relevant at this stage was the feedback gathered for the Neuropathology and Imaging Protocol from PB and SAB members: Prof Daniel Alexander(UCL), Dr Jacques-Donald Torunier(KCL), Prof Jonathan Clayden (TUM), Dr Helen Stolp(KCL), Dr Laura Parkes(UOM) Agenda: 10.00 Introduction Prof Alejandro Frangi 10.10 OCEAN: Progress so far Leandro Beltrachini 10.20 Neuropathology and Imaging protocol Leandro Beltrachini 10.50 Update from Manchester Geoff Parker 11.10 General update on the project "Quantification of vascular and neuronal pathology in dementia using PET and MRI" 11.30 Discussion & Summary 12.00 Lunch |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
URL | http://www.ocean-mri.org/ |
Description | UCL Partners AHSC Cardiovasvcular eMedLab Workshop |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | This meeting had as purpose to bring together people working on the UK Biobank Data specially those with a technical focus working either on image analysis or data management. The group in Sheffield presented the work they are doing on cardiac image analysis and their work on www.multi-x.org. The work was very well received and we have currently a paper on quality assessment that is under review and whose origins could be traced back to discussions in this meeting with QMUL and Oxford colleagues. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
URL | https://uclpartners.com/events/cardiovascular-emedlab-workshop/ |