Bilinear dynamical systems

In this paper, we propose the use of bilinear dynamical systems (BDS)s for model-based deconvolution of fMRI time-series. The importance of this work lies in being able to deconvolve haemodynamic time-series, in an informed way, to disclose the underlying neuronal activity. Being able to estimate neuronal responses in a particular brain region is fundamental for many models of functional integration and connectivity in the brain. BDSs comprise a stochastic bilinear neurodynamical model specified in discrete time, and a set of linear convolution kernels for the haemodynamics. We derive an expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm for parameter estimation, in which fMRI time-series are deconvolved in an E-step and model parameters are updated in an M-Step. We report preliminary results that focus on the assumed stochastic nature of the neurodynamic model and compare the method to Wiener deconvolution.