APPIAN, an open-source software pipeline called Automated Pipeline for PET Image Analysis, is designed to simplify the analysis of PET images alongside MRI. Its objective is to provide users with moderate computing skills an easy-to-use platform for analyzing PET tracer kinetic data and supporting reproducible research. The pipeline starts with the reconstructed PET image and performs all required analysis steps, enabling users to conduct their desired statistical tests using the generated outputs.
APPIAN utilizes a structural brain image such as T1 MRI, along with derived images like brainmask, and a linear transformation file that converts the MRI from native to MNI152 space. The CIVET image processing pipeline is specifically designed to extract surface meshes representing the cortical grey matter and can be used alongside APPIAN. Access to CIVET is available through the CBRAIN online platform, where users can sign up for free. If CIVET is not utilized, users will need to provide the necessary T1 MRI derived files. The APPIAN pipeline is implemented in Python using the Nipype library
