volume of interest
Three-dimensional anatomical or functional region selected for focused analysis in neuroimaging studies, defined by specific spatial boundaries.
Full Definition
A Volume of Interest (VOI) is a three-dimensional region within neuroimaging data that is selected for targeted analysis based on anatomical landmarks, functional activation, or prior hypotheses. VOIs can be defined using various methods including manual tracing, automated atlas-based segmentation, or functional localization procedures. Unlike region of interest (ROI) analysis which may focus on individual slices, VOI analysis encompasses the full volumetric extent of the selected region. This approach allows for more comprehensive sampling of neural activity within specific brain structures and is commonly used for extracting time series data, calculating regional statistics, or performing small volume corrections in statistical analyses.
Usage
Usage note: Commonly abbreviated as VOI; distinguish from 2D region of interest (ROI) analysis.
In Context
- "The hippocampal volume of interest was defined using the Harvard-Oxford atlas." — Structural MRI analysis
- "Signal extraction was performed from spherical VOIs centered on peak activation coordinates." — Functional connectivity study