Dear FreeSurfer experts


I have one question regarding my data analysis and would be extremely thankful 
for any advice!



My data-set is as follows: I have repeated measures (time point 0 (T0), time 
point 1 (T1)) of several subjects. All individuals underwent an intervention at 
one of the time points and a placebo condition at the other time point in a 
fully randomized fashion. Thus, half of the subjects received treatment at T0 
and half of them at T1. I am interested in the putative effect of the 
intervention on cortical thickness in a ROI. A major challenge is that the time 
between T0 and T1 varies between individuals and that I expect the time to 
impact on my dependent variable and to likely interact with the condition 
(treatment versus placebo).



I thought about conducting a simple repeated-measures ANOVA. However, as 
stated, I want to take the time between the two sessions into account. I also 
thought about an analysis of rates or percent changes. However, this approach 
does not model the correlation among the repeated measures and is thus 
associated with a reduction in power.



Accordingly, I am trying to use lme models to analyse my data. Since I have no 
between-group variable but a within-subjects design, I am concerned if my 
thoughts are correct and would be grateful for feedback.



I ran the longitudinal FS stream and followed the longitudinal lme model 
tutorial. I propose the following lme model with one random factor: thickness = 
intercept (random factor) + time since baseline + ICV + condition (placebo or 
treatment) + timeXcondition + Age (does not change across time interval) + 
gender



The analysis finishes with 0% non-covergence. Can you tell me if my model is 
suitable given the fact that it is a within-subjects design? I also started 
wondering if it was possible to model time as a random factor but I think that 
I read that this is not suitable if you only have two groups (in my case: 
conditions).



Thank you very much for help and advice!



All best wishes, Martina









Universitäre Psychiatrische Dienste Bern (UPD)
Universitätsklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie
Systemische Neurowissenschaften der Psychopathologie
Zentrum für Translationale Forschung
Dr. phil. Martina Papmeyer, Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin
Bolligenstrasse 111, CH-3000 Bern 60
Tel: ++41 0(31) 930 9599, Fax: ++41 0(31) 930 9961
Mail: martina.papme...@puk.unibe.ch
www.puk.unibe.ch




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