Microstructure & Connectivity Lab 
Resources

Code & Processes

Datasets & Resources

Pandora White Matter Atlas

Description: Population-based collection of white matter atlases represented in both volumetric and surface coordinates in a standard space. These atlases are based on 2443 subjects, and include 216 white matter bundles derived from 6 different automated state-of-the-art tractography techniques. Hansen et al., NeuroInformatics, 2021

The VALiDATe29 MRI Based Multi-Channel Atlas of the Squirrel Monkey Brain

The VALiDATe29 squirrel monkey brain atlas was created from MRI scans of 29 squirrel monkey brains. The atlas is currently comprised of multiple anatomical templates (proton density, T1, T2* weighted), diffusion MRI templates (fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity), and ex vivo templates (fractional anisotropy and a structural MRI). In addition, the templates are combined with histologically defined cortical labels, and diffusion tractography defined white matter labels. Schilling et al., NeuroInformatics, 2017

MASiVar: Multisite, Multiscanner, and Multisubject Acquisitions for Studying Variability in Diffusion Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging

MASiVar is a dataset consisting of 319 diffusion scans acquired at 3T from b = 1000 to 3000 s/mm2 across 14 healthy adults, 83 healthy children (5 to 8 years), three sites, and four scanners curated to promote investigation of diffusion MRI variability. Cohort I consists of one adult subject scanned repeatedly on one scanner. This subject underwent three separate imaging sessions and acquired 3-4 scans per session. Cohort II consists of 5 adult subjects each scanned on 3-4 different scanners across 3 institutions. Each subject underwent 1-2 sessions on each scanner and had one scan acquired per session. Cohort III consists of 8 adult subjects all scanned on one scanner. Each subject underwent 1-6 sessions on the scanner and had two scans acquired per session. Cohort IV consists of 83 child subjects all scanned on one scanner. Each subject underwent 1-2 sessions on the scanner and had two scans acquired per session. Cai et al., Magn Reson Med, 2021

Bottleneck configurations in the human brain white matter with diffusion MRI tractography

We characterized the prevalence of bottleneck regions, or where multiple white matter pathways of the brain converge and subsequently diverge. These are areas of the brain that present challenges for diffusion tractography, yet represent information highways where dense bundles flow together. Here, we make available bottleneck maps of the brain in a standard space, and provide a map of these junction areas to be used in future studies of the brain. Schilling et al., Human Brain Mapping, 2021

VUIIS - 3T - Functional Contrasts -Resting, MotorStim, SensoryStim, Visual

Six sets of images sensitive to BOLD contrast (TR=3s, TE=45ms, SENSE=2, matrix=80×80, FOV=240×240mm2, 3 mm thick slice with zero gap, 145 volumes). The BOLD images contained a resting state acquisition (Resting), sensory stimulations to the right hand and the left hand (Sensory-R and Sensory-L), motor tasks by the subjects’ right hand and left hand (Motor-R and Motor-L), and visual stimulations (Visual) | All stimulations/tasks were prescribed in a block design format (30s on, 30s off), with five additional volumes acquired without stimulations or tasks at the beginning of each run | The blocks of stimulation or task were repeated seven times for each of the functional acquisitions. The total acquisition time was 435s, yielding 145 volumes for each task/stimulation | MRI acquired on a 3-T Philips Achieva CRX scanner at Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science. Schilling et al., PNAS, 2023

Lectures + Seminars

In the News

Vanderbilt researchers at forefront of global collaboration that advances preclinical imaging with diffusion MRI

Vanderbilt Engineering News (2025)

Vanderbilt researchers at forefront of global collaboration that advances preclinical imaging with diffusion MRI

Vanderbilt University Medical Center News (2023)

Magnetic Resonance in Medicine Highlights. “Q&A with Dr Kurt Schilling and Dr Bennett A. Landman”

MRM Highlights (2019)