# SynBOLD-DisCo: synthetic BOLD images for distortion correction of fMRI without additional calibration scans

Tian Yu, Leon Y. Cai, Victoria L. Morgan, Sarah E. Goodale, Dario J. Englot, Catherine E. Chang, Bennett A. Landman, Kurt G. Schilling

Medical Imaging 2023: Image Processing · 2023 · Conference paper

https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2653647

## Summary

This conference paper introduces SynBOLD-DisCo, using a 3D U-Net to synthesize undistorted BOLD images for fMRI susceptibility correction. It is the proceedings contribution preceding the expanded 2023 journal study.

## Study overview

A synthetic BOLD-contrast target allows FSL topup to correct single-phase-encoding fMRI when field maps or reverse-encoding images are absent. Evaluation shows improved alignment with structural anatomy and performance close to correction using reverse phase-encoded data. This separately published SPIE contribution precedes the expanded journal article.

## Findings / topics

- A 3D U-Net supplied an undistorted target for topup correction.
- The proceedings paper and subsequent journal article are distinct publications.

## Resources

- [Original work](https://www.spiedigitallibrary.org/conference-proceedings-of-spie/12464/2653647/SynBOLD-DisCo--synthetic-BOLD-images-for-distortion-correction-of/10.1117/12.2653647.full)
- [PDF](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10353777/pdf/nihms-1858278.pdf)
- [Expanded journal article](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mri.2023.06.016)
- [SynBOLD-DisCo code](https://github.com/MASILab/SynBOLD-DisCo)
- [Expanded journal article](https://www.microstructure-connectivity-lab.com/publications/synbold-disco/)
- [Open full text](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10353777/)

Lab page: https://www.microstructure-connectivity-lab.com/publications/synbold-disco-conference/

This is a research summary, not the full article.