Dataset exploration tool for fMRI group analysis

In this paper, the software tool designed for group fMRI analysis - a mask_explorer - is introduced. The purpose of the mask_explorer is to enable user friendly exploration of fMRI dataset and to prevent unwanted data loss. This data loss could be caused by automatic discarding of voxels from analysis, which are not containing the information from all subjects included into analysis. At the beginning, some steps of fMRI data preprocessing and single subject statistics are described. The statistical parametric mapping method, as implemented in SPM8 MATLAB toolbox, is used to data processing. The tool mask_explorer runs in the MATLAB environment and is compatible with SPM8 toolbox. Subsequently, the user interface and application of the mask_explorer are shown and described.