Cross-validation coordinate analysis (CVCA): performing coordinate based meta-analysis using cross-validation

Coordinate based meta-analysis (CBMA) can be used to estimate where a future neuroimaging study testing a particular hypothesis might report summary results (activation foci, for example). However, current methods cannot be validated for all possible analyses, and use empirical features that might not always be ideal. Indeed, the various algorithms that perform CBMA tend to produce somewhat different results even on the same data. Furthermore, the use of null hypothesis significance testing (NHST) in the algorithms is not strictly in keeping with meta-analysis, where the aim is usually effect estimation rather than statistical significance. Given the limitations of current CBMA algorithms, a new algorithm has been developed that will perform its analysis using cross validation: cross-validation coordinate analysis (CVCA). Although a full validation cannot be performed, CVCA optimises its parameters in such a way as to make the analysis results most similar to the held-out data. The algorithm can be used as a stand-alone meta-analysis method, or to provide confidence in results from other algorithms where no validation is performed. Software to perform CVCA is freely available. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. ### Funding Statement This study did not receive any funding ### Author Declarations I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained. Yes I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals. Yes I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance). Yes I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable. Yes All data produced in the present study are available upon reasonable request to the authors