MoWS · Modelling Of Whole-brain Slow oscillatory dynamics in physiology and pathology
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2020-11-01 → 2023-01-15
- EU contribution
- €183,473
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
Modelling Of Whole-brain Slow oscillatory dynamics in physiology and pathology
The brain is a complex system processing information in a highly distributed, parallel manner. At the microscopic scale, this information is encoded by groups of individual neurons. These local microcircuits are interconnected within larger scale circuits across the brain and the dynamic information exchange across these multiple organization levels is likely to be crucial for brain function. Despite its importance, very little is known about how neurons exchange information across these scales and it is important, to this extent, to complement the work done by experimental neuroscientists with modelling and data analysis tools. During MoWS I have worked on the development of an information theoretical toolbox for the analysis of large-scale neural data. The software provides a comprehensive set of tools for researchers to analyze and understand the information processing properties of neural systems at various spatial scales, both in physiological and pathological conditions. This is important because understanding how a healthy brain processes information can help us understand diseases and disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorders, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Epilepsy. The overall objectives of this research are to develop a set of tools that can be used to analyze large-scale neural data, and to provide insights into how the brain processes information. By doing so, this research can help researchers to better understand the neural mechanisms underlying brain function and dysfunction, which may ultimately lead to the development of better treatments for neurological diseases and disorders.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
The brain is a complex system whose function relies on a dynamic information exchange between trillions of neural connections organised hierarchically: local neuronal circuits are interconnected to form large-scale functional networks spanning several brain areas. Neural oscillations are the result of this multilevel interaction and regulate vital processes, from sleep to attention. Neurophysiological techniques, such as electrophysiological recordings or brain imaging, can only investigate separately the micro- and macro-circuits that, together, generate global activity patterns. To date, despite significant recent technical advancements, the causal roles between local and global brain activity, and between global dynamics and overall brain function, remain largely unknown. In this context, complementary computational approaches can dramatically improve the understanding of the multilevel functional organization of the brain. This project aims to develop the first model of whole-brain slow oscillations based on the integration of multi-scale neural activity. Slow neural oscillations (<1Hz) regulate key functions such as synaptic plasticity, memory consolidation and sensory processing. Moreover, abnormalities in this brain rhythm have been linked to the pathogenesis of autistic spectrum disorders. The novelty of my model lays in three aspects. It will include pyramidal neurons, parvalbumin interneurons and somatostatin interneurons, following on the experimental results defining their differential roles in regulating slow waves; it will be based on the integration of multi-scale experimental data acquired in-house (local field potential recordings and fMRI); it will be used to model the slow dynamics alterations occurring in genetically defined autistic-like disorders. This solid and highly credible computational tool will advance our understanding of the physiology of brain oscillations and will potentially impact the diagnostic and therapeutic paths for autism.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- FONDAZIONE ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI TECNOLOGIA · GenovaCoordinatorItaly
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union