Neural Dynamics in Parkinson’s Disease: Integrating Machine Learning and Stochastic Modelling with Connectomic Data

Abstract

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurological disorder defined by the gradual loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, which causes both motor and non-motor symptoms. Understanding the neuronal processes that underlie PD is critical for creating successful therapies. This work presents a novel strategy that combines machine learning (ML) and stochastic modelling with connectomic data to understand better the complicated brain pathways involved in PD pathogenesis. We use modern computational methods to study large-scale neural networks to identify neuronal activity patterns related to PD development. We aim to define the subtle structural and functional connection changes in PD brains by combining connectomic with stochastic noises. Stochastic modelling approaches reflect brain dynamics’ intrinsic variability and unpredictability, shedding light on the origin and spread of pathogenic events in PD. We created a hybrid modelling formalism and a novel co-simulation approach to identify the effect of stochastic noises on the cortex-BG-thalamus (CBGTH) brain network model in a large-scale brain connectome. We use Human Connectome Project (HCP) data to elucidate a stochastic influence on the brain network model. Furthermore, we choose areas of the parameter space that reflect both healthy and Parkinsonian states and the impact of deep brain stimulation (DBS) on the subthalamic nucleus and thalamus. We infer that thalamus activity increases with stochastic disturbances, even in the presence of DBS. We predicted that lowering the effect of stochastic noises would increase the healthy state of the brain. This work aims to unravel PD’s complicated neuronal activity dynamics, opening up new options for therapeutic intervention and tailored therapy.

Stochastic modelling of brain networks.