Data Standards
Data Standards
Our Philosophy on Standards
LONI has more than 7 PB of storage capacity, with over 430 TB currently allocated to DABI. Our on-premises system ensures provider data remain stable and maintainable. Data are backed up weekly to an off-site cloud for redundancy, and metadata are backed up daily on a rolling two-week cycle.
What Data We Accept
All neuroelectrophysiology data are accepted. We recommend using the BIDS and NWB standards. We also welcome files organized by subject, with signal files in BioSemi, BrainVision, European Data Format, EEGLAB, Blackrock NeuroPort, Intan, and MATLAB formats. Other types of data we accept include imaging files (MRI, fMRI, DWI, CT, PET) in DICOM or NIfTI formats. Additionally, we accept code files, behavioral test scores, patient seizure diaries, wearable device data, surgical photographs, surgical notes, diagrams, and associated publications. We urge our data providers to ensure metadata completeness and include file descriptors.
Folder Structure
If not in BIDS or NWB, folders should be structured by subject, in format shown here.
Electrophysiology Data
Accepted Formats
Biosemi (.bdf)
A binary format containing digitized EEG signals and accompanying metadata, widely supported by various EEG analysis software.
BrainVision (.eeg, .vhdr, .vmrk)
A BIDS-compliant format consisting of separate signal and metadata files.
European Data Format (EDF/EDF+) (.edf)
A BIDS and NWB-compliant format. EDF+ extends the format to include additional features such as digital annotations and signal quality information.
EEGLAB (.set, .fdt)
A format primarily utilized within the EEGLAB software environment. Can be converted into other commonly-used formats.
Blackrock NeuroPort (.nev, .nsX)
A comprehensive solution for storing event data and neural recordings acquired by the NeuroPort system. Is NWB-compliant.
Intan (.rhd, .rhs)
Associated with Intan recording systems widely used for acquiring neural data, including EEG, LFPs, and spike recordings. Is NWB-compliant.
MATLAB files (.mat or .m)
MATLAB and MATLAB-based software are the most commonly used for time-series data analysis. Only MATLAB data from FieldTrip are currently accepted.
Organization of MATLAB Files
MATLAB files should be in the FieldTrip format.
Imaging Data
Accepted Formats
NIFTI
Single file format tailored for 3D and 4D imaging data like FMRI.
DICOM
A multi-image standard for imaging data that stores data in individual images with associated patient metadata. Headers should be removed before upload.
Derived Data
Derived Data Types
Derived Ephys Data
Prefered in CSV
Data Description
Prefered in TSV or TXT
Associated Publications
Prefered in PDF
Behavioral Test Scores
Prefered in CSV
Seizure Diary
Accepted in any format
Wearable Device Data
Accepted in any format
Processed (derived data) files can be uploaded in any format when attached to the primary data that were collected. If only derived data are uploaded, they should adhere to the guidelines relevant to the primary data.
Subject Metadata
Metadata files are required.
Minimum information, including sex, age, and diagnosis, is required and preferred in the .csv format as an attached file. Please note: The patient ID in the metadata file must be consistent with the patient ID in the data folders.
