Current computational neuroscience studies are often limited to a single scale or simulator, with many still relying on standalone simulation code due to computational power and technology constraints. Simulations incorporating biophysical properties and neural morphology typically focus on single neurons or small networks, while large-scale neural network simulations often resort to point neurons as a compromise to incorporate plasticity and cell diversity. Whole-brain simulations, on the other hand, frequently sacrifice details at the individual neuron and network composition levels. This workshop introduces recent advances leveraging the next-generation simulator Arbor, designed to overcome these challenges. Arbor enables seamless conversion from the widely used NEURON simulator, facilitates the study of functional and structural plasticity in large neural networks with detailed morphology, and supports multi-scale modeling through co-simulation, integrating microscopic and macroscopic levels of simulation. Arbor is a library optimized for efficient, scalable neural simulations by utilizing both GPU and CPU resources. It supports the simulation of both individual neurons and large-scale networks while maintaining detailed biophysical properties and morphological complexity. The workshop will feature presentations covering key aspects:
Effortless Transition from NEURON to Arbor - Dr. Beatriz Herrera - Allen Brain Institute, USA Introducing to the SONATA format, which simplifies the migration process and enables cross-simulator validation, ensuring a smooth transition to Arbor for researchers familiar with NEURON.
Structural Plasticity Simulations - Marvin Kaster & Prof. Felix Wolf - TU Darmstadt, Germany Presenting ReLEARN and Arbor’s capabilities in modeling distance-dependent structural plasticity, providing insights into structural changes.
Synaptic Plasticity - Dr. Jannik Luboeinski - University of Göttingen, Germany Showcasing Arbor’s capabilities in modeling calcium-based functional plasticity.
Multi-Scale Co-Simulation with TVB - Prof. Thanos Manos - CY Cergy-Paris University, France Demonstrating Arbor’s co-simulation with The Virtual Brain (TVB) platform, illustrating the study of epilepsy propagation as an example of multi-scale modeling.
The workshop will conclude with an interactive coding session, offering participants hands-on experience with Arbor and an opportunity to apply the presented concepts.
This workshop will explore how brain digital twins are revolutionizing research into pathological brain conditions and transforming the landscape of precision medicine. Participants will learn how these models work and how they integrate data and tools from different fields, such as molecular neuroscience, network theory and dynamical systems. We will discuss how digital twins can help identify early biomarkers able to characterize pathological states and predict disease progression. Another key topic will be the use of digital twins as in silico environments for testing potential treatments before applying them in clinical scenarios. Through real-world examples and interactive sessions, we will tackle some of the challenges that come with this innovative approach, such as achieving anatomical precision, handling large datasets, and ensuring ethical use in patient care. The focus will remain on making these cutting-edge tools accessible and impactful, not just for researchers but also for clinicians aiming to deliver more effective, tailored care to their patients.
