• Adaptive Digital Twin
Cutting | Brain

Adaptive Digital Twin

Precon: Pre-conditioning of the human motor system by non-invasive transcranial magnetic stimulation (to reduce risk in neurosurgery). Copyright: Lucius Fekonja

The Adaptive Digital Twin project aims to achieve their goals through four primary strategies. Firstly, we plan to implement a measure that allows real-time probing of effective local and widespread change in whole brain connectivity based on a combination of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and electroencephalography (EEG). Secondly, we generate high-quality neuroimaging data from brain tumor patients in a joined research project with DFG SPP 2041, which can be used to synthesize digital brain matter using machine-learning algorithms to dramatically increase cohort sizes. thirdly, we refine the correlation analyses of structure-function brain networks with psycholinguistic assessments and real-time mapping during awake surgery. Lastly, we model the effect of different lesions on the level of personalized biophysical brain network models by comparing patient profiles before and after their surgery along with their brain structure information.

In addition, in a further sub-project, we explore the material properties of the brain in relation to neuroimaging in tumor patients, investigating the effects of degeneration, pressure, or stretching mechanisms on brain tissues and the resulting functional consequences, in terms of network and behavior. We use MR-Elastography (MRE) imaging to measure local physical properties of brain matter and add a novel material science perspective to the question of the brain's structure-function relationship.

Connectome construction of a patient with a tumor in the speech-eloquent area of the brain.
The connection strengths of the white matter are shown as edges with a heat map (dark = weak connection, light = strong connection). The cortical areas of the brain and their size are illustrated as nodes in the form of spheres. Additionally, three orange TMS points are shown (TMS = Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation). In this case, the patient’s speech network could be non-invasively disturbed in these areas and mapped accordingly.

The visualization of the white matter is based on tractography. The different directions of the white matter can be measured and displayed by means of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. Copyright: Lucius Fekonja & Image Guidance Lab, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin

Representation of the speech network in relation to the tumor and the TMS points. The tumor is located in the speech-eloquent area of the brain. The visualization shows six different fiber bundles of the white matter. The fiber bundles were colored differently for clear differentiation.

The visualization of the white matter is based on tractography. The different directions of the white matter can be measured and displayed by means of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. Copyright: Lucius Fekonja & Image Guidance Lab, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin

Fiber Tratography delineating the white matter of the brain. Copyright: Lucius Fekonja

Subprojects

Investigation of Brain’s Structure-Function Relationship in Glioma Patients using MRE
The effects of brain tumors on brain function are difficult to predict due to the complexity of individual brain networks and the brain's potential for functional reorganization. Invasive and noninvasive brain imaging techniques can help to better understand the effects of brain tumors on brain networks and improve treatment efficacy and levels of control. more