The Virtual Brain

Get up to speed about the fundamental principles of full brain network modeling using the open-source neuroinformatics platform The Virtual Brain (TVB).

TVB enables biologically realistic modeling of network dynamics using Connectome-based approaches across different brain scales.

Generate macroscopic neuroimaging signals including fMRI, intracranial and stereotactic EEG, surface EEG and MEG for single subjects.

Researchers from different backgrounds can benefit from an integrative software platform including a supporting framework for data management (generation, organization, storage, integration and sharing) and a simulation core written in Python.

The architecture of TVB supports interaction with MATLAB packages, e.g. the well-known Brain Connectivity Toolbox.

Simulated brains. Real memories.

After the workshop you should have a basic picture of how these models are built, how they work, and what biological properties of a neural system they represent. In addition, we will highlight several research topics that can be explored using this tool.

For the brave ones who like diving directly into the code, we expect you to know some Python, MATLAB, Octave, or whatever programming language you like the most.

The workshop is organized with interleaved oral presentation and hands-on sessions. Attendants will have the time to ask questions.

The hands-on sessions will let you immediately apply the concepts from the lectures to your simulations in TVB.

Attend RRI together with Node#4 in Toronto

The Node#4 on March 22nd is a satellite workshop to the Annual Rotman Research Institute (RRI) Conference taking place at Metro Toronto Convention Centre on March 20-21, 2017. The TVB team will also be amongst the speakers at this conference and we highly recommend attending the full conference in addition to this workshop.

Prepare your gear

To get the most out of this workshop as an attendee, you might want to get a head-start by preparing your gear before you arrive:

• Download and install the latest stable TVB package.
• Test it in its current form to make sure it's compatible with your computing environment.
• Familiarize yourself with the basics by browsing through the included manual (TVB-Distribution/docs/UserManual.pdf).

Meet the TVB team

Apart from learning together, you can meet and talk to a good part of The Virtual Brain's core team, covering a broad range of topics from cutting-edge neuroscience research to advanced software development.

• Viktor Jirsa, Marseille (France)
• Randy McIntosh, Toronto (Canada)
• Petra Ritter, Berlin (Germany)
• Ana Solodkin, Irvine (USA)
• John Griffiths, Toronto (Canada)
• Tanya Brown, Toronto (Canada)

Program: Morning Session

• 09:00 - 09:15 am

  Introduction to workshop & caffeine intake

• 09:15 - 10:45 am

  A generative model of the brain: Describing the building blocks of a brain network model

  Learn about the basic principles and assumptions underlying a brain network model, recent studies using different local models, cortical connectivity and dynamical units. Understand how to approximate neural fields.

• 10:45 - 11:00 am

  Coffee break

• 11:00 - 12:00 pm

  Interacting with TVB

  Presents available tools of TVB project, as well as details of the architecture underneath. At times, you will be advised to follow the presenter with your own laptop, learning about the web UI as well as the console interface.

• 12:00 - 01:00 pm

  Lunch break

Program: Afternoon Session

• 01:00 - 02:15 pm

  Hands-on: How to obtain a TVB friendly dataset

Understanding data formats and setting up pipelines for data extraction

• 02:15 - 03:15 pm

  Hands-on: Modeling brain networks at rest

Modeling a resting state brain and exploring it's dynamics

• 03:15 - 03:30 pm

  Coffee break

• 03:30 - 04:30 pm

  Hands-on: Modeling the impact of structural lesions

Working with the Connectome as a "parameter", conduction speed and time delays

• 04:30 - 05:30 pm

  Hands-on: Modeling epilepsy using TVB

  Modelling partial seizure propagation for specific patients

• 05:30 - 05:40 pm

• Closing remarks