Data organization is an important factor in understanding and using BrainVISA. In fact, BrainVISA was designed to simplify the use of the different neuroimaging tools developed by laboratories, and to combine data acquired by different methods (aMRI, fMRI, dMRI, EEG/MEG, PET, etc.). These different tools and methods are compatible, thanks to a data organization system.

One of the most important features of BrainVISA is the way in which it organises files and directories to create a database. A directory is treated as a BrainVISA database if the structure of its sub-directories and the names of the files it contains comply with a given set of rules. These rules allow BrainVISA to browse the entire contents of the data directory, and accurately identify the items composing the database.

It is possible to completely define the rules used by BrainVISA to browse a directory and hence create a database structure. In this way, you can use BrainVISA without having to modify your existing file structure. However, to define such a set of rules, you need to spend a considerable amount of time studying the way BrainVISA works. This is why BrainVISA comes with default rules, which manage data organization. This organization system is easy to use.

We are going to look at 3 aspects of data organization: