Coordinate-independent mapping of structural and functional data by objective relational transformation (ORT)

Neuroscience has produced an enormous amount of structural and functional data. Powerful database systems are required to make these data accessible for computational approaches such as higher-order analyses and simulations. Available databases for key data such as anatomical and functional connectivity between cortical areas! however, are still hampered by methodological problems. These problems arise predominantly from the parcellation problem, the use of incongruent parcellation schemes by different authors. We here present a coordinate-independent mathematical method to overcome this problem: objective relational transformation (ORT). Based on new classifications for brain data and on methods from theoretical computer science, ORT represents a formally defined, transparent transformation method for reproducible, coordinate-independent mapping of brain data to freely chosen parcellation schemes. We describe the methodology of ORT and discuss its strengths and limitations. Using two practical examples, we show that ORT in conjunction with connectivity databases like CoCoMac (http://www.cocomac.org) is an important tool for analyses of cortical organization and structure-function relationships.