Precision non-invasive brain stimulation: an <i>in silico</i> pipeline for personalized control of brain dynamics

<i>Objective.</i>Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) offers therapeutic benefits for various brain disorders. Personalization may enhance these benefits by optimizing stimulation parameters for individual subjects.<i>Approach.</i>We present a computational pipeline for simulating and assessing the effects of NIBS using personalized, large-scale brain network activity models. Using structural MRI and diffusion-weighted imaging data, the pipeline leverages a convolutional neural network-based segmentation algorithm to generate subject-specific head models with up to 40 tissue types and personalized dielectric properties. We integrate electromagnetic simulations of NIBS exposure with whole-brain network models to predict NIBS-dependent perturbations in brain dynamics, simulate the resulting EEG traces, and quantify metrics of brain dynamics.<i>Main results.</i>The pipeline is implemented on o<sup>2</sup>S<sup>2</sup>PARC, an open, cloud-based infrastructure designed for collaborative and reproducible computational life science. Furthermore, a dedicated planning tool provides guidance for optimizing electrode placements for transcranial temporal interference stimulation. In two proof-of-concept applications, we demonstrate that: (i) transcranial alternating current stimulation produces expected shifts in the EEG spectral response, and (ii) simulated baseline network activity exhibits physiologically plausible fluctuations in inter-hemispheric synchronization.<i>Significance.</i>This pipeline facilitates a shift from exposure-based to response-driven optimization of NIBS, supporting new stimulation paradigms that steer brain dynamics towards desired activity patterns in a controlled manner.

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Publication Details

Journal
Journal of Neural Engineering
Published
2025-02-20
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1088/1741-2552/adb88f
Citations
7
Primary Topic
Functional Brain Connectivity Studies
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
10.02

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article

Precision non-invasive brain stimulation: an in silico pipeline for personalized control of brain dynamics

Melanie Steiner, Elena Beanato, Bryn Lloyd, Antonino M. Cassarà et al.
7 citations
Journal of Neural Engineering
Functional Brain Connectivity Studies
10.02
article

Precision non-invasive brain stimulation: an in silico pipeline for personalized control of brain dynamics

Melanie Steiner, Elena Beanato, Bryn Lloyd, Antonino M. Cassarà, Viktor Jirsa, Taylor Newton, Silvia Farcito, Niels Kuster, Friedhelm C. Hummel, Esra Neufeld, Huifang Wang, Fariba Karimi, Elisabetta Iavarone, Paul de Fontenay, Jan Paul Triebkorn
article en
7 citations

Abstract

<i>Objective.</i>Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) offers therapeutic benefits for various brain disorders. Personalization may enhance these benefits by optimizing stimulation parameters for individual subjects.<i>Approach.</i>We present a computational pipeline for simulating and assessing the effects of NIBS using personalized, large-scale brain network activity models. Using structural MRI and diffusion-weighted imaging data, the pipeline leverages a convolutional neural network-based segmentation algorithm to generate subject-specific head models with up to 40 tissue types and personalized dielectric properties. We integrate electromagnetic simulations of NIBS exposure with whole-brain network models to predict NIBS-dependent perturbations in brain dynamics, simulate the resulting EEG traces, and quantify metrics of brain dynamics.<i>Main results.</i>The pipeline is implemented on o<sup>2</sup>S<sup>2</sup>PARC, an open, cloud-based infrastructure designed for collaborative and reproducible computational life science. Furthermore, a dedicated planning tool provides guidance for optimizing electrode placements for transcranial temporal interference stimulation. In two proof-of-concept applications, we demonstrate that: (i) transcranial alternating current stimulation produces expected shifts in the EEG spectral response, and (ii) simulated baseline network activity exhibits physiologically plausible fluctuations in inter-hemispheric synchronization.<i>Significance.</i>This pipeline facilitates a shift from exposure-based to response-driven optimization of NIBS, supporting new stimulation paradigms that steer brain dynamics towards desired activity patterns in a controlled manner.

Journal of Neural EngineeringVol. 22(2)
University of Geneva (CH), ETH Zurich (CH), Foundation for Research on Information Technologies in Society (CH), Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes (FR), Wyss Center for Bio and Neuroengineering (CH), Clinique Romande de Réadaptation (CH), École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (CH)
NIH Office of the Director
Industry, innovation and infrastructure
Openalex Percentile: Top 2%
Functional Brain Connectivity Studies
10.02
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