Resting-state fMRI data reflects default network activity rather than null data: A defense of commonly employed methods to correct for multiple comparisons.

Cogn Neurosci. 2016 Dec 22;:

Authors: Slotnick SD

Abstract
Analysis of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data typically involves over one hundred thousand independent statistical tests; therefore, it is necessary to correct for multiple comparisons to control familywise error. Eklund, Nichols, and Knutsson (2016, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 113, 7900-7905) used resting-state fMRI data to evaluate commonly employed methods to correct for multiple comparison and reported unacceptable rates of familywise error. Eklund et al.'s analysis was based on the assumption that resting-state fMRI data reflects null data; however, their "null data" actually reflected default network activity that inflated familywise error. As such, Eklund et al.'s results provide no basis to question the validity of the tens of thousands of published fMRI studies that have corrected for multiple comparisons or the commonly employed methods to correct for multiple comparisons.

PMID: 28002981 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]