Workshop on Real-World Brain Imaging Data - potential and challenges

Real-world data (RWD) refers to data derived from various non-experimental or observational sources that reflect routine clinical practice. Given the limitations in the number of participants in controlled trials or research-based cohorts, it is becoming increasingly interesting to tap into RWD as an alternative for truly big data analytics. 

In this workshop, we discuss possibilities to use real-world brain imaging data (mainly referring to magnetic resonance imaging, emission tomography, and computed tomography) for brain research. Because imaging is expensive and many brain imaging examinations are performed in clinical practice, there exists a large, valuable resource that is underused. 

Real world imaging data does not obviously come without challenges: 1) Data is not acquired utilizing a standardized protocol across sites and participants, and therefore may not require specialized methodology to use it. 2) Obtaining a permission to use data, whether based on informed consent, secondary use law, or via biobank, might not be straight-forward. 3) The data might be big in scale and requires specialized computing solution before it can be used. In this workshop, we gather several experts to discuss and share best practices in using real-world imaging data and answer what, why, when, and how questions around the topic. 

This free of charge workshop is intended for researchers, experts in wellbeing services counties, companies, and anyone interested in the topic. Registration is open until 15 October and a link to participation via Teams will be sent to those singing up as an on-line participant. You can give preliminary questions to the speakers when registering. Welcome!

AGENDA

SESSION 1: Possibilities of real-world brain imaging data in medical research
12:30 – 12:40 Coffee
12:40 – 12.45 Welcome, Jussi Tohka, University of Eastern Finland
12:45 – 12:55 FinnGen, Finnish biobanks and imaging - underutilized opportunities, 
Valtteri Julkunen, University of Eastern Finland and Kuopio University Hospital
12:55 – 13:05 OSTPRE brain imaging study, 
Reijo Sund, University of Eastern Finland
13:05 - 13:15 TBA, Juhana Hakumäki, University of Eastern Finland and Kuopio University Hospital
13:15 – 13:50 Panel discussion with speakers, moderator TBA
13:50 – 14:00 Break

SESSION 2: Technical challenges in real-world imaging data
14:00 – 14:10 Clinical imaging data in research – technical possibilities and juridical pitfalls, 
Sami Väänänen, University of Eastern Finland and Kuopio University Hospital
14:10 – 14:20 cNEURO-cMRI automated brain MRI quantification, 
Jyrki Lötjönen, Combinostics
14:20- 14:30 TBA, Juha Pajula, VTT
14:30 – 15:05 Panel discussion
15:05 – 15:15 Break
15:15- 15:30 Introduction to the guidelines developed in Brain Research Unit 2.0 regarding brain imaging data (transport and analysis possibilities for primary use data), Jussi Tohka and Ali Farki, University of Eastern Finland

This event is organised by the Brain Research Unit 2.0 at the University of Eastern Finland. The project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Jussi Tohka, Professor of biomedical image analysis from the A.I. Virtanen Institute, moderates the event.

For further information, please contact Jussi Tohka, email jussi.tohka@uef.fi.