K-operator for Modelling Neurodegeneration: Simulations, fMRI Application, Eigenvalue Analysis and Recurrence Plots
The brain network damage provoked by a neurological disease can be modelled as the result of the action of an operator, K, acting on the brain, inspired by physics. Here, we explore the matrix formulation of K, analysing eigenvalues and eigenvectors, with heuristic considerations on different techniques to approximate it. The primary objective of this paper is to lay the foundational groundwork for an innovative framework aimed at the development of predictive models regarding the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. This endeavour will leverage the potential of integrating these novel representations of brain damage with advanced machine-learning techniques. A case study based on real-world data is presented here to support the proposed modelling.
Authors
- Salvatore De Fazio
- Norbert Marwan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1437-7039)
- Marco Gherardi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7745-8269)
- Peppino Fazio (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2590-034X)
- Maria Mannone (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3606-3436)
- Patrizia Ribino (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3266-9617)
- Francesca Gasparini (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6279-6660)
Institutions
- VSB - Technical University of Ostrava (CZ)
- Ca' Foscari University of Venice (IT)
- University of Potsdam (DE)
- University of Milan (IT)
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IT)
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Milano (IT)
- National Research Council (IT)
- Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta (IT)
- Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (DE)
- University of Milano-Bicocca (IT)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Medical Systems
- Published
- 2025-10-27
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s10916-025-02244-6
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- Functional Brain Connectivity Studies
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 2.86