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Wang HE, Triebkorn P, Breyton M, Dollomaja B, Lemarechal JD, Petkoski S, Sorrentino P, Depannemaecker D, Hashemi M, Jirsa VK. Virtual brain twins: from basic neuroscience to clinical use. Natl Sci Rev 2024; 11:nwae079. [PMID: 38698901 PMCID: PMC11065363 DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwae079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Virtual brain twins are personalized, generative and adaptive brain models based on data from an individual's brain for scientific and clinical use. After a description of the key elements of virtual brain twins, we present the standard model for personalized whole-brain network models. The personalization is accomplished using a subject's brain imaging data by three means: (1) assemble cortical and subcortical areas in the subject-specific brain space; (2) directly map connectivity into the brain models, which can be generalized to other parameters; and (3) estimate relevant parameters through model inversion, typically using probabilistic machine learning. We present the use of personalized whole-brain network models in healthy ageing and five clinical diseases: epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and psychiatric disorders. Specifically, we introduce spatial masks for relevant parameters and demonstrate their use based on the physiological and pathophysiological hypotheses. Finally, we pinpoint the key challenges and future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huifang E Wang
- Aix Marseille Université, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes (INS) UMR1106; Marseille 13005, France
| | - Paul Triebkorn
- Aix Marseille Université, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes (INS) UMR1106; Marseille 13005, France
| | - Martin Breyton
- Aix Marseille Université, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes (INS) UMR1106; Marseille 13005, France
- Service de Pharmacologie Clinique et Pharmacosurveillance, AP–HM, Marseille, 13005, France
| | - Borana Dollomaja
- Aix Marseille Université, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes (INS) UMR1106; Marseille 13005, France
| | - Jean-Didier Lemarechal
- Aix Marseille Université, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes (INS) UMR1106; Marseille 13005, France
| | - Spase Petkoski
- Aix Marseille Université, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes (INS) UMR1106; Marseille 13005, France
| | - Pierpaolo Sorrentino
- Aix Marseille Université, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes (INS) UMR1106; Marseille 13005, France
| | - Damien Depannemaecker
- Aix Marseille Université, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes (INS) UMR1106; Marseille 13005, France
| | - Meysam Hashemi
- Aix Marseille Université, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes (INS) UMR1106; Marseille 13005, France
| | - Viktor K Jirsa
- Aix Marseille Université, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes (INS) UMR1106; Marseille 13005, France
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Scarciglia A, Catrambone V, Bianco M, Bonanno C, Toschi N, Valenza G. Stochastic brain dynamics exhibits differential regional distribution and maturation-related changes. Neuroimage 2024; 290:120562. [PMID: 38484917 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2024.120562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a powerful non-invasive method for studying brain function by analyzing blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) signals. These signals arise from intricate interplays of deterministic and stochastic biological elements. Quantifying the stochastic part is challenging due to its reliance on assumptions about the deterministic segment. We present a methodological framework to estimate intrinsic stochastic brain dynamics in fMRI data without assuming deterministic dynamics. Our approach utilizes Approximate Entropy and its behavior in noisy series to identify and characterize dynamical noise in unobservable fMRI dynamics. Applied to extensive fMRI datasets (645 Cam-CAN, 1086 Human Connectome Project subjects), we explore lifelong maturation of intrinsic brain noise. Findings indicate 10% to 60% of fMRI signal power is due to intrinsic stochastic brain elements, varying by age. These components demonstrate a physiological role of neural noise which shows a distinct distributions across brain regions and increase linearly during maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Scarciglia
- Department of Information Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Pisa, Italy; Bioengineering and Robotics Research Center E.Piaggio, School of Engineering, University of Pisa, Italy.
| | - Vincenzo Catrambone
- Department of Information Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Pisa, Italy; Bioengineering and Robotics Research Center E.Piaggio, School of Engineering, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Martina Bianco
- Department of Information Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Pisa, Italy; Department of Mathematics, University of Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Nicola Toschi
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy; A.A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, MGH and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gaetano Valenza
- Department of Information Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Pisa, Italy; Bioengineering and Robotics Research Center E.Piaggio, School of Engineering, University of Pisa, Italy
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Papo D, Buldú JM. Does the brain behave like a (complex) network? I. Dynamics. Phys Life Rev 2024; 48:47-98. [PMID: 38145591 DOI: 10.1016/j.plrev.2023.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
Graph theory is now becoming a standard tool in system-level neuroscience. However, endowing observed brain anatomy and dynamics with a complex network structure does not entail that the brain actually works as a network. Asking whether the brain behaves as a network means asking whether network properties count. From the viewpoint of neurophysiology and, possibly, of brain physics, the most substantial issues a network structure may be instrumental in addressing relate to the influence of network properties on brain dynamics and to whether these properties ultimately explain some aspects of brain function. Here, we address the dynamical implications of complex network, examining which aspects and scales of brain activity may be understood to genuinely behave as a network. To do so, we first define the meaning of networkness, and analyse some of its implications. We then examine ways in which brain anatomy and dynamics can be endowed with a network structure and discuss possible ways in which network structure may be shown to represent a genuine organisational principle of brain activity, rather than just a convenient description of its anatomy and dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Papo
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, Section of Physiology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy; Center for Translational Neurophysiology, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Ferrara, Italy.
| | - J M Buldú
- Complex Systems Group & G.I.S.C., Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain
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Lavanga M, Stumme J, Yalcinkaya BH, Fousek J, Jockwitz C, Sheheitli H, Bittner N, Hashemi M, Petkoski S, Caspers S, Jirsa V. The virtual aging brain: Causal inference supports interhemispheric dedifferentiation in healthy aging. Neuroimage 2023; 283:120403. [PMID: 37865260 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2023.120403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms of cognitive decline and its variability during healthy aging are not fully understood, but have been associated with reorganization of white matter tracts and functional brain networks. Here, we built a brain network modeling framework to infer the causal link between structural connectivity and functional architecture and the consequent cognitive decline in aging. By applying in-silico interhemispheric degradation of structural connectivity, we reproduced the process of functional dedifferentiation during aging. Thereby, we found the global modulation of brain dynamics by structural connectivity to increase with age, which was steeper in older adults with poor cognitive performance. We validated our causal hypothesis via a deep-learning Bayesian approach. Our results might be the first mechanistic demonstration of dedifferentiation during aging leading to cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Lavanga
- Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes (INS), Inserm, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille 13005, France
| | - Johanna Stumme
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-1), Research Centre Jülich, Jülich, Germany; Institute for Anatomy I, Medical Faculty & University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Bahar Hazal Yalcinkaya
- Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes (INS), Inserm, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille 13005, France
| | - Jan Fousek
- Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes (INS), Inserm, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille 13005, France
| | - Christiane Jockwitz
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-1), Research Centre Jülich, Jülich, Germany; Institute for Anatomy I, Medical Faculty & University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Hiba Sheheitli
- Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes (INS), Inserm, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille 13005, France
| | - Nora Bittner
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-1), Research Centre Jülich, Jülich, Germany; Institute for Anatomy I, Medical Faculty & University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Meysam Hashemi
- Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes (INS), Inserm, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille 13005, France
| | - Spase Petkoski
- Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes (INS), Inserm, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille 13005, France
| | - Svenja Caspers
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-1), Research Centre Jülich, Jülich, Germany; Institute for Anatomy I, Medical Faculty & University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Viktor Jirsa
- Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes (INS), Inserm, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille 13005, France.
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Frak V, Cohen H. Current perspectives on the brain connectome. Brain Cogn 2023; 172:106080. [PMID: 37738927 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandc.2023.106080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Henri Cohen
- Département de psychologie, UQAM, Canada, and Paris Descartes, France.
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Cabrera-Álvarez J, Doorn N, Maestú F, Susi G. Modeling the role of the thalamus in resting-state functional connectivity: Nature or structure. PLoS Comput Biol 2023; 19:e1011007. [PMID: 37535694 PMCID: PMC10426958 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1011007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The thalamus is a central brain structure that serves as a relay station for sensory inputs from the periphery to the cortex and regulates cortical arousal. Traditionally, it has been regarded as a passive relay that transmits information between brain regions. However, recent studies have suggested that the thalamus may also play a role in shaping functional connectivity (FC) in a task-based context. Based on this idea, we hypothesized that due to its centrality in the network and its involvement in cortical activation, the thalamus may also contribute to resting-state FC, a key neurological biomarker widely used to characterize brain function in health and disease. To investigate this hypothesis, we constructed ten in-silico brain network models based on neuroimaging data (MEG, MRI, and dwMRI), and simulated them including and excluding the thalamus, and raising the noise into thalamus to represent the afferences related to the reticular activating system (RAS) and the relay of peripheral sensory inputs. We simulated brain activity and compared the resulting FC to their empirical MEG counterparts to evaluate model's performance. Results showed that a parceled version of the thalamus with higher noise, able to drive damped cortical oscillators, enhanced the match to empirical FC. However, with an already active self-oscillatory cortex, no impact on the dynamics was observed when introducing the thalamus. We also demonstrated that the enhanced performance was not related to the structural connectivity of the thalamus, but to its higher noisy inputs. Additionally, we highlighted the relevance of a balanced signal-to-noise ratio in thalamus to allow it to propagate its own dynamics. In conclusion, our study sheds light on the role of the thalamus in shaping brain dynamics and FC in resting-state and allowed us to discuss the general role of criticality in the brain at the mesoscale level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesús Cabrera-Álvarez
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Centre for Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience, Madrid, Spain
| | - Nina Doorn
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Fernando Maestú
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Centre for Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gianluca Susi
- Centre for Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Structure of Matter, Thermal Physics and Electronics, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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