The Virtual Brain (TVB) is the most used data-driven framework for modelling brain activity at macroscale level. TVB bridges the gap between meso- and macroscale because it uses MRI data (i.e., macroscale) as input and to tune the parameters of the embedded computational models (i.e., mesoscale). However, TVB simulations employ the same computational model for all nodes, not accounting for intrinsic region-specific brain activities. Recently, a cerebellum-specific mean field (MF) has been developed to account for cerebellar functionality in healthy state. The cerebellar MF is built as a complex system of equations, where topology and functional properties of neuronal populations (granule cells – GrC, Golgi cells – GoC, Purkinje cells – PC, Molecular Layer Interneurons – MLI) are embedded
We have provided a framework to differentiate node dynamics, by associating different MFs to different regions, known to be characterized by different neuronal microcircuits. In this framework the healthy cerebellar MF has been already integrated in TVB but pathological MFs should be created and specifically tuned for the investigated pathology. This will improve the simulation of pathological brain dynamics to further enhancing the specificity of TVB predictions and its personalisation.
A PhD student will have the possibility to cover various aspects of the investigation of brain functioning with the aim of identifying strategies for diagnosis and personalized therapy. Students have the possibility to spend part of their research activity abroad since the projects are developed within a collaborative network, which comprises MNESYS, CN1, EBRAINS 2.0, and Virtual Brain Twin (VBT) projects.
Pathological cerebellar MF integration into TVB.
Different region-specific MFs are embedded and connected each other introducing functional and structural intra-MF and inter-MF coupling parameters. Additionally, MF is adapted to account for pathological changes based on multiscale data.
References
- Lorenzi R, Geminiani A, Zerlaut Y, De Grazia M, Destexhe A, Gandini C.A.M, Palesi F, Casellato C and D’Angelo E. A multi-layer mean-field model of the cerebellum embedding microstructure and population-specific dynamics. PLOS COMP BIO. 2023; doi: 1371/journal.pcbi.1011434
- Tesler F., Lorenzi R.M., Ponzi A., Casellato C., Palesi F., Gandolfi D., Gandini Wheeler Kingshott C.A.M., Mapelli J., D’Angelo E., Migliore M., Destexhe A. Multiscale modeling of neuronal dynamics in hippocampus CA1. Front Comp Neurosci. 2024; 18:1432593; doi:3389/fncom.2024.1432593