The tractographer's dilemma: understanding sources of variability in tractography
Publication date
2025-06-16
Authors
Dell'Acqua, Flavio
Leemans, Alexander
Zhang, Fan
Rheault, Francois
Farquharson, Shawna
De Luca, Alberto
Editors
Advisors
Supervisors
Document Type
Letter
Metadata
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License
taverne
Abstract
Tractography involves many steps, and as such can be heavily affected by data quality, operator decisions such as algorithm and parameter selection and/or biological variables - in addition to random effects such as noise and motion. Due to the interplay between sources of variability, even seemingly minor decisions or overlooked assumptions can lead to major variations in output that can potentially confound tractography results. This article summarizes the main sources of variability in tractography to remind both new and experienced users of the importance of making informed decisions at all stages of the tractography pipeline.
Keywords
Algorithms, Brain/diagnostic imaging, Diffusion Tensor Imaging/methods, Humans, Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/methods, Taverne, Journal Article, Review, Letter
Citation
Dell'Acqua, F, Leemans, A, Zhang, F, Rheault, F, Farquharson, S & De Luca, A 2025, 'The tractographer's dilemma : understanding sources of variability in tractography', Brain structure & function, vol. 230, no. 6, 99. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00429-025-02964-y