Mega-analysis methods in ENIGMA: The experience of the generalized anxiety disorder working group

Hum Brain Mapp. 2022 Jan;43(1):255-277. doi: 10.1002/hbm.25096. Epub 2020 Jun 29.

Abstract

The ENIGMA group on Generalized Anxiety Disorder (ENIGMA-Anxiety/GAD) is part of a broader effort to investigate anxiety disorders using imaging and genetic data across multiple sites worldwide. The group is actively conducting a mega-analysis of a large number of brain structural scans. In this process, the group was confronted with many methodological challenges related to study planning and implementation, between-country transfer of subject-level data, quality control of a considerable amount of imaging data, and choices related to statistical methods and efficient use of resources. This report summarizes the background information and rationale for the various methodological decisions, as well as the approach taken to implement them. The goal is to document the approach and help guide other research groups working with large brain imaging data sets as they develop their own analytic pipelines for mega-analyses.

Keywords: data sharing; generalized anxiety disorder; mega-analyses; meta-analyses; neuroimaging.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anxiety Disorders / diagnostic imaging*
  • Cerebral Cortex / diagnostic imaging*
  • Data Interpretation, Statistical*
  • Humans
  • Meta-Analysis as Topic*
  • Multicenter Studies as Topic* / methods
  • Multicenter Studies as Topic* / standards
  • Neuroimaging* / methods
  • Neuroimaging* / standards