SYNEURGY · Synergistic modeling of gene-brain couplings with applications in affective neuroscience
FP7 — People (Marie Curie Actions)
- Duration
- 2012-07-01 → 2015-06-30
- EU contribution
- €250,483
- Participants
- 2
- Scheme
- MC-IOF
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
Synergistic modeling of gene-brain couplings with applications in affective neuroscience
In this project, we aimed to develop and apply multimodal machine learning tools for integration of human brain activity with other modalities. Throughout the project, the developed tools were continually applied and evaluated on neuroimaging data. The final methodological results included a number of machine learning tools for neuroimaging data, including algorithms for cross-modal synergistic modeling of human genetic effects on brain responses patterns. Utilizing the tools, the Fellow made substantial contributions towards an improved understanding of socio-affective and perceptual brain processing in health and disease. Notable contributions were made in a range of fields, including brain processing of tactile allodynia, multisensory integration, biomarkers of autism and Alzheimer’s disease, and more. In total, the Fellow contributed to 17 conference poster presentations (four selected for talks), one review paper, one book chapter, five journal publications and three conference proceedings papers. Also, one algorithm developed by the Fellow was highlighted by a key blogger in the field (http://mvpa.blogspot.se/2012/09/random-searchlight-averaging.html). The tools developed in the project provide a new approach for integrating the vast amount of biomedical data, available with state-of-the-art equipment, into the study of the human brain. Such tools are critical for a better understanding of mental illness, and for developing biomarkers of psychiatric conditions. Psychiatric disorders are the single largest contributor to global years lived with disability, and affective disorders alone outrank diabetes, cardiovascular disease and malaria. The Fellow's work during the project has opened new avenues in the effort towards understanding the neurobiology of such illness. In the longer term, this work paves the road towards novel brain-based diagnostics, prognostics and therapeutic interventions in psychiatry. For dissemination of results to the general public, the Fellow maintains the website at www.syneurgy.eu.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
Exploiting cross-modal integration for enhanced power and sensitivity, the recently emerged field of imaging genomics is at the frontline of available tools for identifying genes which influence the neurobiology of human behavior and psychiatric illness. Computational approaches are not, however, up to par with the complexity of the disparate data: there is an urgent need for integrative predictive modeling to overcome the interdisciplinary fragmentation between genomics and neuroimaging to harvest the full potential of the data. The methodological objective of this project is therefore to develop and implement integrative cross-modal algorithms for synergistic modeling of human genetic effects on brain responses patterns. To this end, the project will use tools from machine learning which allow powerful, multivariate, generic, data-driven, general purpose predictive modeling. Application side, the project will target the neurobiology of affective behavior and disorders through modeling gene-brain correlates in a population of individuals carrying a mutation resulting in atypical sense of affective touch and insensitivity to pain. Employing a cross-modal, multi-disciplinary approach, integrating genomics, neuroimaging and engineering at the frontier of neuroscience research, the project enables holistic modeling of genetic correlates of human behavior and psychiatric conditions revealing new therapeutic avenues. The project embodies the work program by providing excellent international, multi-disciplinary, cross-modal academic training, establishing a solid yet dynamic basis for a prolific long-term scientific career for the Fellow. The project will increase the attractiveness of the ERA through promoting the world-leading Swedish neurobiology research and facilitate mutually beneficial relations with Singapore; moreover, the project will aid the ERA in benefiting from rather than competing with the growing science and technology investments in Asia.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union