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Decisions made during the analysis or reporting of an fMRI study influence the eligibility of that study to be entered into a meta-analysis. In a meta-analysis, results of different studies on the same topic are combined. To combine the results, it is necessary that all studies provide equivalent pieces of information. However, in task-based fMRI studies we see a large variety in reporting styles. Several specific meta-analysis methods have been developed to deal with the reporting practices occurring in task-based fMRI studies, therefore each requiring a specific type of input. In this manuscript we provide an overview of the meta-analysis methods and the specific input they require. Subsequently we discuss how decisions made during the study influence the eligibility of a study for a meta-analysis and finally we formulate some recommendations about how to report an fMRI study so that it complies with as many meta-analysis methods as possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What are the standards for the reporting methods and results of fMRI studies, and how have they evolved over the years? To answer this question we reviewed 160 papers published between 2004 and 2019. Reporting styles for methods and results of fMRI studies can differ greatly between published studies. However, adequate reporting is essential for the comprehension, replication and reuse of the study (for instance in a meta-analysis). To aid authors in reporting the methods and results of their task-based fMRI study the COBIDAS report was published in 2016, which provides researchers with clear guidelines on how to report the design, acquisition, preprocessing, statistical analysis and results (including data sharing) of fMRI studies (Nichols et al. in Best Practices in Data Analysis and Sharing in Neuroimaging using fMRI, 2016). In the past reviews have been published that evaluate how fMRI methods are reported based on the 2008 guidelines, but they did not focus on how task based fMRI results are reported. This review updates reporting practices of fMRI methods, and adds an extra focus on how fMRI results are reported. We discuss reporting practices about the design stage, specific participant characteristics, scanner characteristics, data processing methods, data analysis methods and reported results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study aimed to meta-analyze the functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data and compare the brain activations from gustatory studies with different stimulus delivery methods. Methods: Published fMRI studies were included into the analysis if they evaluated the brain responses to liquid tastants or food among healthy subjects. Studies were coded into three groups: stimulus removed from the mouth by suction without the need to swallow, swallowing without controlling for its confounds, and swallowing with controlling for its confounds. Results: Forty-five studies that comprised of a total of 1498 participants fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Suction studies activated the posterior cingulate. Swallowing studies covered multiple brain regions including the anterior and middle insula, the precentral gyrus, and the postcentral gyrus. Conclusions: For the contrast analysis between swallowing studies with and without controlling for the confounds, the former group had larger brain activation mainly at the anterior and middle insula and the thalamus, whereas the latter group had larger brain activation mainly at the anterior cingulate, precentral gyrus, and postcentral gyrus. Implications: Compared to studies that did not control for confounds of swallowing, studies that controlled for swallowing demonstrated heightened responses at the insula and reduced responses at the sensorimotor cortex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]