Cited by 7,429Functional Brain Connectivity StudiesAdvanced MRI Techniques and ApplicationsAdvanced Neuroimaging Techniques and Applications

Spurious but systematic correlations in functional connectivity MRI networks arise from subject motion

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Power, Jonathan D., Barnes, Kelly A., Snyder, Abraham Z., Schlaggar, Bradley L., Petersen, Steven E.·2012·NeuroImage

Abstract

Here, we demonstrate that subject motion produces substantial changes in the timecourses of resting state functional connectivity MRI (rs-fcMRI) data despite compensatory spatial registration and regression of motion estimates from the data. These changes cause systematic but spurious correlation structures throughout the brain. Specifically, many long-distance correlations are decreased by subject motion, whereas many short-distance correlations are increased. These changes in rs-fcMRI correlations do not arise from, nor are they adequately countered by, some common functional connectivity processing steps. Two indices of data quality are proposed, and a simple method to reduce motion-related effects in rs-fcMRI analyses is demonstrated that should be flexibly implementable across a variety of software platforms. We demonstrate how application of this technique impacts our own data, modifying previous conclusions about brain development. These results suggest the need for greater care in dealing with subject motion, and the need to critically revisit previous rs-fcMRI work that may not have adequately controlled for effects of transient subject movements.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2011.10.018

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  • No group differences were observed in frame-wise displacement, indicating the groups were well-matched for head motion.

    “Importantly, no group differences were observed in frame-wise displacement, a metric of relative head displacement between volumes (Power et al. 2012), suggesting the groups were well-matched for head motion (Table 2).”
  • To avoid spurious correlation due to motion, we chose a priori a more conservative criterion by excluding all participants with more than 1 mm framewise displacement.

    “To avoid spurious correlation due to motion55,56, we choose a priori a more conservative criterion by excluding all participants with more than 1 mm FD.”
  • Head motion during fMRI acquisitions was evaluated using the framewise displacement.

    “Head motion during fMRI acquisitions was evaluated using the framewise displacement, which was calculated as the L1-norm of the realignment-derived parameters after converting angles to linear displacements (Power et al., 2012).”
  • Percent frames scrubbed using a threshold of 0.5 mm showed no significant effects of group, condition, or group-by-condition interaction.

    “Finally there were no significant effects of percent frames scrubbed using a threshold of 0.5 mm (Power et al. 2012) on group, condition, or interactions of group and condition (group:”

    From Brain Activity and Functional Connectivity Associated with Hypnosis (2016) · cites this paper as Power et al. 2012

  • Mean framewise displacement showed no main effect of group, condition, or group-by-condition interaction.

    “Additionally we examined mean framewise displacement (Power et al. 2012) and found no main effect of group (F(1,40) = 0.01, P = 0.92), condition (F(3,40) = 1.01,P = 0.39), or group by condition interaction (F(3,40) = 1.49,P = 0.22).”

    From Brain Activity and Functional Connectivity Associated with Hypnosis (2016) · cites this paper as Power et al. 2012

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Authors
Power, J. D., Barnes, K. A., Snyder, A. Z., Schlaggar, B. L., & Petersen, S. E.
Affiliations
Washington University in St. Louis (US)
Corresponding author
Power, Jonathan D.
Venue
NeuroImage
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2012-02
Volume
59
Issue
3
Pages
2142-2154
ISSN
1053-8119 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W1990134753
Cited by
7,429
References
42
Citations by year
2026: 404 · 2025: 506 · 2024: 475 · 2023: 525 · 2022: 604 · 2021: 671 · 2020: 696 · 2019: 647 · 2018: 604 · 2017: 587 · 2016: 504 · 2015: 439 · 2014: 357 · 2013: 294 · 2012: 104
FWCI
123.02
Type
journal article
Language
en
Update notices
erratum (2012-11-01)
Open access
Locations
  • NeuroImage (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health (5p60dk020579-35, 5u54mh091657-05)
  • National Institute of Mental Health (P50MH071616, U54-MH091657, P50MH71616)
  • National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (K23DC006638)
  • National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (P60 DK020579-31)
  • National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (R01NS32979, R01NS032979, R21NS061144)
  • Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (R01HD057076)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Functional Brain Connectivity Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging › Advanced MRI Techniques and Applications
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging › Advanced Neuroimaging Techniques and Applications
Keywords
subject motion, resting-state functional connectivity, spurious correlations, motion correction, spatial registration, brain development
MeSH terms
Algorithms, Brain, Humans, Image Processing, Computer-Assisted, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Motion, Oxygen, Software, Cohort Studies, Artifacts, Head Movements

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