Identification and characterisation of midbrain nuclei using optimised functional magnetic resonance imaging

► Functional MRI of the midbrain is difficult because it is small and prone to noise. ► Our midbrain optimised group registration allows accurate localisation of activity. ► We model and remove the structured physiological noise in the data. ► These optimisations improve the detection of a visually induced midbrain signal. ► These methods are automated and are applicable to any midbrain nuclei.