Reproducibility analysis of event-related fMRI experiments using Laguerre polynomials

In this study, we introduce the use of orthogonal causal Laguerre polynomials for analyzing data collected in event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) experiments. This particular family of polynomials has been widely used in the system identification literature and recommended for modeling impulse functions in BOLD-based fMRI experiments. In empirical studies, we applied Laguerre polynomials to analyze data collected in an event-related fMRI study conducted by Scott et al. (2001). The experimental study investigated neural mechanisms of visual attention in a change-detection task. By specifying a few meaningful Laguerre polynomials in the design matrix of a random effect model, we clearly found brain regions associated with trial onset and visual search. The results are consistent with the original findings in Scott et al. (2001). In addition, we found the brain regions related to the mask presence in the parahippocampal, superior frontal gyrus and inferior parietal lobule. Both positive and negative responses were also found in the lingual gyrus, cuneus and precuneus.