Virtual brain twins: from basic neuroscience to clinical use

• Published in: National Science Review Vol. 11; no. 5; p. nwae079
• Main Authors: Wang, Huifang E, Triebkorn, Paul, Breyton, Martin, Dollomaja, Borana, Lemarechal, Jean-Didier, Petkoski, Spase, Sorrentino, Pierpaolo, Depannemaecker, Damien, Hashemi, Meysam, Jirsa, Viktor K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: China Oxford University Press 01.05.2024; Oxford Academic
• Subjects: Cognitive science; Neuroscience; REVIEW; inference; virtual brain twin; personalized modeling; neuroscience; brain disorder
• ISSN: 2095-5138; 2053-714X; 2053-714X
• DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwae079

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. Virtual brain twins integrate individual brain imaging data in a digital model to accurately reflect a person's brain. This review explains how to use them for various brain diseases.