Curated external human brain MRI datasets for research, benchmarking, and education.
This repository aggregates links and light metadata to facilitate access from neuroimaging tools (e.g., DSI Studio).
Important: Always follow the original license / DUA of each dataset and cite the original authors.
- NODDI Lifespan dMRI (
ucsf-noddi) - DTI Predicts Mandarin Learning (
mit-casl) - Southwest University SLIM (
swu-slim) - Stark Cross-Sectional Aging (
stark-aging) - Penthera 3T (
penthera) - NTU-90 (
ntu90) - NKI Rockland Sample (
nki-rockland) - Multi-Modal MRI Reproducibility Resource (
mmrr) - IXI – Institute of Psychiatry (
ixi-iop) - IXI – Hammersmith Hospital (
ixi-hh) - IXI – Guy’s Hospital (
ixi-guys) - Healthy Brain Network (
hbn) - Cambridge Centre for Ageing and Neuroscience (
cam-can)
Diffusion MRI for lifespan white-matter maturation with NODDI (ages 7–63).
- Participants: 67 healthy controls; includes test–retest subsets
- Modalities:
- DTI: single-shell (b≈1000 s/mm²)
- HARDI: two shells for NODDI modeling
- T1-weighted MRI
- License: Governed by the dataset’s UCSF Datashare DUA (see Dryad record)
- Citation:
Chang, Y., & Mukherjee, P. (2015). NODDI-PLOS-ONE-Chang et al 2015 [Data set]. Dryad. https://doi.org/10.7272/Q6D798BD
Primary article: PLOS ONE, “Neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging of brain development across the lifespan” (2015). - Source: Dryad – https://doi.org/10.7272/Q6D798BD
- Typical uses: ND/OD lifespan curves, age prediction, NODDI vs. DTI comparisons, reliability.
Linux / macOS
curl -s https://api.github.com/repos/data-others/brain/releases/tags/ucsf-noddi | jq -r '.assets[].browser_download_url' | xargs -n1 -P4 curl -LOWindows PowerShell
(Invoke-RestMethod "https://api.github.com/repos/data-others/brain/releases/tags/ucsf-noddi").assets | ForEach-Object { Invoke-WebRequest $_.browser_download_url -OutFile (Split-Path $_.browser_download_url -Leaf) }White-matter microstructure and Mandarin second-language learning outcomes.
- Participants: De-identified adult learners of Mandarin as a second language
- Modalities: DTI (NIfTI DWI +
.bval/.bvec), behavioral / demographic CSV - License: CC BY 4.0
- Citation: Qi, Z. (2017). DTI Predicts Mandarin Learning [Data set]. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.260007 Qi et al. (2014). J Neurolinguistics, 33, 14–28.
- Source: Zenodo – https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.260007
- Typical uses: Language aptitude biomarkers, FA/tract-based analyses, structure–learning relationships.
Linux / macOS
curl -s https://api.github.com/repos/data-others/brain/releases/tags/mit-casl | jq -r '.assets[].browser_download_url' | xargs -n1 -P4 curl -LOWindows PowerShell
(Invoke-RestMethod "https://api.github.com/repos/data-others/brain/releases/tags/mit-casl").assets | ForEach-Object { Invoke-WebRequest $_.browser_download_url -OutFile (Split-Path $_.browser_download_url -Leaf) }Longitudinal multimodal MRI test–retest sample of young adults.
- Participants: Healthy young adults, 3.5-year test–retest design
- Modalities: Eddy-corrected DWI (SRC/FIB), T1w, demographics; behavioral assessments
- License: CC BY-NC
- Reference: Liu et al., Sci Data, 2017
- Source: CoRR / SLIM project; OneDrive links in release
- Typical uses: Reliability studies, longitudinal modeling, diffusion reconstruction benchmarks.
Linux / macOS
curl -s https://api.github.com/repos/data-others/brain/releases/tags/swu-slim | jq -r '.assets[].browser_download_url' | xargs -n1 -P4 curl -LOWindows PowerShell
(Invoke-RestMethod "https://api.github.com/repos/data-others/brain/releases/tags/swu-slim").assets | ForEach-Object { Invoke-WebRequest $_.browser_download_url -OutFile (Split-Path $_.browser_download_url -Leaf) }Cross-sectional aging dataset with detailed imaging and behavior.
- Participants: ~120 adults, ages 18–89
- Modalities: Whole-brain DTI, high-res MTL DTI, structural MRI, FreeSurfer segmentations
- License: CC BY-NC-SA
- Project page: https://www.nitrc.org/projects/stark_aging/
- Typical uses: Aging effects on hippocampus, structure–behavior relations, lifespan analyses.
Linux / macOS
curl -s https://api.github.com/repos/data-others/brain/releases/tags/stark-aging | jq -r '.assets[].browser_download_url' | xargs -n1 -P4 curl -LOWindows PowerShell
(Invoke-RestMethod "https://api.github.com/repos/data-others/brain/releases/tags/stark-aging").assets | ForEach-Object { Invoke-WebRequest $_.browser_download_url -OutFile (Split-Path $_.browser_download_url -Leaf) }Scan–rescan multi-shell DWI on Philips 3T.
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Participants: 13 young healthy adults, 6 scans per subject (two sessions × three scans)
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Modalities:
- DWI (b=300/1000/2000; 8/32/60 directions; 7×b0; reverse-PE b0)
- T1w MPRAGE
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License / Source: Zenodo – https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.2602049
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Typical uses: Multi-shell modeling, distortion correction, scan–rescan reliability.
Linux / macOS
curl -s https://api.github.com/repos/data-others/brain/releases/tags/penthera | jq -r '.assets[].browser_download_url' | xargs -n1 -P4 curl -LOWindows PowerShell
(Invoke-RestMethod "https://api.github.com/repos/data-others/brain/releases/tags/penthera").assets | ForEach-Object { Invoke-WebRequest $_.browser_download_url -OutFile (Split-Path $_.browser_download_url -Leaf) }Classic DSI dataset (NTU-90 atlas source).
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Participants: 90 subjects (3 mm DSI), plus 1 subject at 2 mm
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Modalities: DSI, 203 directions, b-max 6000 s/mm², NIfTI
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License: Non-commercial, educational, research; redistribution requires including original license paragraph
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Key refs:
- Yeh & Tseng, NeuroImage 58(1), 91–99 (2011)
- Yeh et al., IEEE TMI 29(9), 1626–1635 (2010)
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Typical uses: Tractography evaluation, high-angular sampling methods, atlas work.
Linux / macOS
curl -s https://api.github.com/repos/data-others/brain/releases/tags/ntu90 | jq -r '.assets[].browser_download_url' | xargs -n1 -P4 curl -LOWindows PowerShell
(Invoke-RestMethod "https://api.github.com/repos/data-others/brain/releases/tags/ntu90").assets | ForEach-Object { Invoke-WebRequest $_.browser_download_url -OutFile (Split-Path $_.browser_download_url -Leaf) }Lifespan community neuroimaging with deep phenotyping.
- Participants: >1,500, ages 6–85
- Data: MRI, extensive phenotypes, psychiatric/cognitive measures, genetics, etc.
- License: CC BY-NC; high-dimensional phenotypes require DUA
- Reference: Tobe et al., Sci Data 9(1), 300 (2022)
- Phenotypes: Access via COINS (requires approved DUA)
- Typical uses: Development, psychiatric associations, longitudinal/connectome studies.
Linux / macOS
curl -s https://api.github.com/repos/data-others/brain/releases/tags/nki-rockland | jq -r '.assets[].browser_download_url' | xargs -n1 -P4 curl -LOWindows PowerShell
(Invoke-RestMethod "https://api.github.com/repos/data-others/brain/releases/tags/nki-rockland").assets | ForEach-Object { Invoke-WebRequest $_.browser_download_url -OutFile (Split-Path $_.browser_download_url -Leaf) }Scan–rescan multi-parametric MRI resource (3T, 1-hour protocol).
- Participants: 21 healthy volunteers (no neurological history), scan–rescan
- Modalities: MPRAGE, FLAIR, DTI, rs-fMRI, B0/B1, ASL, VASO, quantitative T1/T2, MT (NIfTI)
- Citation: Landman et al., NeuroImage, 2010. doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2010.11.047
- License: BIRN Data License (see NITRC project page)
- Project page: https://www.nitrc.org/projects/multimodal/
- Typical uses: Cross-modality reproducibility, power analysis, QC pipelines.
Linux / macOS
curl -s https://api.github.com/repos/data-others/brain/releases/tags/mmrr | jq -r '.assets[].browser_download_url' | xargs -n1 -P4 curl -LOWindows PowerShell
(Invoke-RestMethod "https://api.github.com/repos/data-others/brain/releases/tags/mmrr").assets | ForEach-Object { Invoke-WebRequest $_.browser_download_url -OutFile (Split-Path $_.browser_download_url -Leaf) }Site-specific subset of the IXI Dataset.
- Participants: Healthy subjects scanned at Institute of Psychiatry (GE 1.5T)
- Modalities: T1w, T2w, PD, MRA, DWI (15 directions)
- License: CC BY-SA 3.0
- Project page: https://brain-development.org/ixi-dataset/
- Typical uses: Site-specific baselines, morphometry + diffusion, multi-site comparisons.
Linux / macOS
curl -s https://api.github.com/repos/data-others/brain/releases/tags/ixi-iop | jq -r '.assets[].browser_download_url' | xargs -n1 -P4 curl -LOWindows PowerShell
(Invoke-RestMethod "https://api.github.com/repos/data-others/brain/releases/tags/ixi-iop").assets | ForEach-Object { Invoke-WebRequest $_.browser_download_url -OutFile (Split-Path $_.browser_download_url -Leaf) }Site-specific subset of the IXI Dataset.
- Participants: Healthy subjects scanned at Hammersmith Hospital (Philips 3T)
- Modalities: T1w, T2w, PD, MRA, DWI (15 directions)
- License: CC BY-SA 3.0
- Project page: https://brain-development.org/ixi-dataset/
- Typical uses: High-field site reference, multi-site harmonization, structural + diffusion baselines.
Linux / macOS
curl -s https://api.github.com/repos/data-others/brain/releases/tags/ixi-hh | jq -r '.assets[].browser_download_url' | xargs -n1 -P4 curl -LOWindows PowerShell
(Invoke-RestMethod "https://api.github.com/repos/data-others/brain/releases/tags/ixi-hh").assets | ForEach-Object { Invoke-WebRequest $_.browser_download_url -OutFile (Split-Path $_.browser_download_url -Leaf) }Site-specific subset of the IXI Dataset.
- Participants: Healthy subjects scanned at Guy’s Hospital (Philips 1.5T)
- Modalities: T1w, T2w, PD, MRA, DWI (15 directions)
- License: CC BY-SA 3.0
- Project page: https://brain-development.org/ixi-dataset/
- Typical uses: 1.5T baselines, site-comparison studies, structural + DWI benchmarks.
Linux / macOS
curl -s https://api.github.com/repos/data-others/brain/releases/tags/ixi-guys | jq -r '.assets[].browser_download_url' | xargs -n1 -P4 curl -LOWindows PowerShell
(Invoke-RestMethod "https://api.github.com/repos/data-others/brain/releases/tags/ixi-guys").assets | ForEach-Object { Invoke-WebRequest $_.browser_download_url -OutFile (Split-Path $_.browser_download_url -Leaf) }Pediatric / adolescent transdiagnostic biobank (NYC).
- Participants: Target 10,000 children/adolescents (ages 5–21); multiple phases (baseline, follow-up, retest)
- Data: Multimodal MRI, EEG, psychiatric/behavioral/cognitive measures, lifestyle, genetics, actigraphy, voice/video
- License: CC BY-NC; follow HBN citation and DUA guidance
- Reference: Alexander et al., Sci Data 4(1), 1–26 (2017)
- Diffusion methods (this repo SRC/FIB): Multishell (b=1000, 2000; 64+64 dirs), TOPUP+eddy via TinyFSL + DSI Studio, RDI + GQI reconstruction (see release).
- Typical uses: Pediatric mental health, transdiagnostic phenotypes, method development for large pediatric data.
Linux / macOS
curl -s https://api.github.com/repos/data-others/brain/releases/tags/hbn | jq -r '.assets[].browser_download_url' | xargs -n1 -P4 curl -LOWindows PowerShell
(Invoke-RestMethod "https://api.github.com/repos/data-others/brain/releases/tags/hbn").assets | ForEach-Object { Invoke-WebRequest $_.browser_download_url -OutFile (Split-Path $_.browser_download_url -Leaf) }Large-scale ageing resource with rich cognitive and imaging data.
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Participants: Community adults across the adult lifespan
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Data (this repo):
- FIB files (GQI reconstruction, ready for DSI Studio tracking)
- SRC files available only to users with Cam-CAN approval (via private link on request)
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Diffusion methods: Multishell (b=1000 & 2000; 30+30 dirs), QC-checked b-table, GQI reconstruction (DSI Studio)
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License: Follows original CamCAN agreement: non-commercial, open-access publication, acknowledgement of CamCAN
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Typical uses: Ageing and connectomics, tract-specific analyses, method development on well-characterized adults.
Linux / macOS
curl -s https://api.github.com/repos/data-others/brain/releases/tags/cam-can | jq -r '.assets[].browser_download_url' | xargs -n1 -P4 curl -LOWindows PowerShell
(Invoke-RestMethod "https://api.github.com/repos/data-others/brain/releases/tags/cam-can").assets | ForEach-Object { Invoke-WebRequest $_.browser_download_url -OutFile (Split-Path $_.browser_download_url -Leaf) }-
Use the Releases tab to inspect per-dataset assets (archives, CSVs, FIB/SRC, metadata).
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Prefer the one-line commands above to mirror all assets for a given tag.
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For DSI Studio:
- Load
.nii.gz+.bval+.bvecor SRC/FIB as provided. - Run reconstruction (e.g., GQI/DTI), set QA/FA thresholds, then track/export.
- Load
For reproducible pipelines, keep software versions and reconstruction parameters under version control with your outputs.
- Each release retains its original license / DUA (e.g., CC BY, CC BY-NC, CC BY-NC-SA, BIRN, CC BY-SA, institutional DUA).
- Always cite the original dataset and primary articles listed in each section.
- If this aggregation is useful, you may add:
“Data access was facilitated via the
data-others/brainrepository.”
- Some releases represent partial uploads or derived subsets (e.g., SRC/FIB only).
- Phenotypic and other sensitive data may require a Data Use Agreement (DUA) or site-specific approval.
- Anonymization / defacing policies differ across datasets; verify before face-related analyses.