Overview of the BASIL toolset

Higher-level packages

These provide a single means to quantify CBF from ASL data, including kinetic-model inversion, absolute quantification via a calibration image and registration of the data. This will generally be the first place to go for most people who want to do processing of ASL data.

• asl_gui - The graphical user interface that brings the BASIL tools together in one place.
• oxford_asl - A command line interface for most common ASL perfusion analysis.

Individual analysis components

These are designed to perform a specific task in the analysis of ASL data. In many cases the higher-level tools will call them when required, however they can also be used individually in cases where the high-level processing pipeline is not suitable.

• basil (command) - this is the core tool that performs kinetic-model inversion to the data using a Bayesian algorithm. You should only need to use it directly for more custom analyses than that offered by oxford_asl/Asl_gui.
• asl_calib - this tool takes a supplied calibration volume and calculates the magnetization of arterial blood allowing CBF to be quantified in absolute units. The main functionality of asl_calib is built into oxford_asl, Asl_gui and QUASIL, but more options are available when using it directly.
• asl_reg - this tool is designed to assist in registration of (low resolution) ASL images to structural or standard brain images. The functionality of asl_reg is built into oxford_asl and Asl_gui.
• asl_file - a command line tool for the manipulation of ASL data files, particulary designed to cope with the complex strcuture of interleaved lable and control images combined with muliple post-labeling delays.
• quasil - A special version of BASIL optimised for QUASAR ASL data, includes model-based or model-free analyses along with calibration.
• toast - A special version of BASIL optimised for Turbo-QUASAR ASL data, includes model-based analyses, calibration, and correction for MT effects.