Modelling of brain stimulation to unveil signal propagation and network dynamics

Date: December 13 2023 - at 2.45 PM (Italian time)Where: Aula Magna del VIMM, Via Giuseppe Orus, 2, 35129 Padova PD

The human brain comprises distinct resting-state networks (RSNs) characterized by spontaneous activity patterns. Despite this highly structured functional pattern, its laws of motion and principles of organization have proven challenging to understand with currently available measurement techniques. In such epistemic circumstances, an extremely elegant modus operandi to investigate brain complexity with high spatial and temporal resolution entails the administration of precise and synchronized external stimulation, followed by a meticulous examination of the resulting induced propagation dynamics that emerge in response to these perturbations. In this framework, a combination of empirical stimulus-evoked data analyses and whole-brain, connectome-based neurophysiological modelling provide an elegant scaffold to investigate questions around the physiological basis and spatiotemporal network dynamics of RSNs’ activity. Deciphering this evoked propagation pattern is essential for a comprehensive understanding of the brain’s response to stimulation and therefore for personalized and targeted interventions, with potential applications ranging from therapeutic treatments to cognitive enhancement. Dr. Momi will also give a more technical lectures about the mathematical modelling and computational pipelines for the students of Physics of Data on Thursday 14 December at 2.30 pm, in P2B room, Paolotti building. This lecture are open also for PNC Ph.D. students.


conference speakers

Davide Momi

Davide is a second year Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics (Toronto). He completed his Ph.D. at the Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences at the University of Chieti. As part of his PhD, Davide attended a period abroad at the Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging in Boston. Prior to his doctoral studies, he obtained a Master’s degree in “Neurosciences and Neuro-Psychological Rehabilitation” from the University of Bologna and a Bachelor’s in “Psychology” from the University of Perugia. Davide has experience with multimodal neuroimaging and electrophysiological data, brain stimulation, quantitative structural MRI assessment, machine learning, simulations of macroscale brain dynamics. His research is mainly focused on personalized simulations of brain dynamics to provide a better understanding of neurological and psychiatric disorders.