European School of Network Neuroscience

Project Information

euSNN

Grant agreement ID: 860563

DOI

10.3030/860563

Project closed

EC signature date 4 September 2019

Start date 1 October 2019

End date 30 September 2024

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Total cost

€ 3 966 875,64

EU contribution

€ 3 966 875,64

Coordinated by

UNIVERSITAETSKLINIKUM HAMBURG-EPPENDORF
Germany

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - euSNN (European School of Network Neuroscience)

Reporting period: 2021-10-01 to 2024-09-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Taking neuroscience from the study of individual brain regions to a network-based approach is essential for unraveling the mechanisms of cognition and behavior and their breakdown in disorders. Network neuroscience is an emerging field which is still at its incipient stages. Therefore, it has been timely to implement an ITN for training ESRs on this new field and its application domains. euSNN has very successfully integrated many of the leading European groups in network neuroscience and delivered training on knowledge and skills that enables students to pursue a successful career in this emerging field. euSNN has combined and trained all approaches relevant for the investigation of brain networks, including (f)MRI, MEG/EEG, in-vivo recordings, analysis, modeling, network modulation with optogenetics or non-invasive neurostimulation, and studies on network changes in neurological disorders. The novelty of euSNN's training has resulted from the unique combination of experimental, analysis and modeling approaches, which has been amplified in a highly integrated program involving different disciplines and sectors. All euSNN projects have focused on identifying, analyzing, and manipulating network interactions underlying cognitive and sensorimotor functions or their disturbances. Exploiting intense collaborations between experimental, theoretical and clinical groups, euSNN has successfully linked basic research on large-scale brain dynamics with pathophysiological approaches and clinical applications.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Examples of research activities:
- Deployment and further development of approaches for measuring and analysing structural and functional connectivity, and application of these in a range of different species
- Study of the dynamics and connectivity of cortico-subcortical networks in animal models
- Comparison of results obtained in humans and ferrets to demonstrate similarities and differences in brain complexity and dynamics
- Analysis of structural and microstructural patterns in human brain connectivity
- Development of whole-brain models replicating and predicting brain dynamics and impairments in a stroke patients dataset
- Analysis of functional connectivity data in Parkinson’s disease, leading to a better understanding of brain network dynamics and connectivity in this disorder
- Identification of potential biomarkers of Parkinson’s disease tremor and development of targeted interventions for tremor reduction through non-invasive tACS
- Combination of electrophysiology and optogenetics to investigate the functional role of GABAergic interneurons
- Use of optogenetic stimulation to better understand how specific neural circuits (e.g. prefrontal cortex) influence behavior
- Development of optogenetic stimulation protocols that mimic natural coupling dynamics, based on the application of frequency- and amplitude-modulated sinusoids

Training activities:
- First core skill workshop: training on background concepts and analysis approaches of network neuroscience, talks and discussions on concepts and new trends in network neuroscience, on methods for analysis of functional connectivity, on strategies for modeling and visualizing of the connectome, and on novel neuroimaging approaches
- Second core skill workshop: cellular and clinical approaches in network neuroscience, optogenetic and imaging approaches in animal models, noninvasive brain stimulation in humans for basic research and clinical applications, novel developments of neural probes and implants, data analysis workshops
- Third core skill workshop: advanced approaches in human neuroimaging, ultra-high field imaging and its applications, fMRI neurofeedback, combinations of neurostimulation and neuroimaging, workshops on conflict management, grant writing, R&D careers in the private sector
- First summer school: perspectives in network neuroscience from synapses to large-scale networks, brain networks in health and disease, the future of neurotechnologies
- Second summer school: novel experimental techniques, model organisms and analytic approaches, lectures on topics from neurophysiology, genetics, cognitive neuroscience, computational modelling, developmental and evolutionary perspectives on network neuroscience
- Sseveral international symposia and conference satellites, core skill webinars, online progress reports, journal clubs, introductory online course (SPOC) on network neuroscience, individual training through secondments with euSNN partners

Dissemination activities:
- A press release was published on project start
- A website (https://eusnn.eu) was implemented which presents the network, its individual projects and lists the publications emerging from the action
- More than 60 publications in international journals resulted from research work in the euSNN action. Publications resulting from the consortium have been promoted via X/Twitter
- The ESRs presented their research projects at numerous national and international conferences
- Special events organized euSNN: (1) conference satellite at the DGKN23 congress of the German Society for Clinical Neurophysiology in 2023 at Hamburg, (2) international “Brainmodes conference” at Hamburg in 2023, (3) symposium at the FENS Forum 2024 at Vienna, (4) international network neuroscience conference at Hamburg-Blankenese in 2024
- Events addressed key developments and novel results in network neuroscience and covered interdisciplinary aspects regarding potential implications of network approaches in other fields
- We developed an open-source network neuroscience curriculum, which has been published as a deliverable
- Several publications for lay audiences were issued including, e.g. articles about research projects of euSNN in “uni’wissen”, the journal of the University of Freiburg, or in the UKE “Wissen+Forschen” magazine, which features the latest research developments at UKE, and a radio interview on the “Cognitive functions of the brain” at “Radio Feierwerk” Munich for children

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

- Contributions to a better understanding of the foundations of cognitive and sensorimotor processes, new insights into the network structure and dynamics, e.g. of networks underlying perception, attention, memory and motor control
- Strong multidisciplinarity through integrating a broad range of cutting-edge approaches into a coherent research agenda, linking data across different levels of description and spatial scales of network study, development of new modeling strategies producing new insights into principles of network function
- New data on and new insights in altered network interactions in brain disorders, notably in stroke and Parkinson’s disease, relating disturbances of large-scale network communication to clinically manifest symptoms in patients with central motor deficits or cognitive dysfunction
- Neurostimulation approaches for understanding the underlying mechanisms of brain stimulation and advancing these approaches with novel protocols, preparing the ground for innovative therapeutic approaches based on the manipulation of functional connectivity between different neural systems
- Cohort of 15 highly talented ESRs acquired unique combinations of skills in the interdisciplinary field of network neuroscience
- Contribution to shaping research programs in academia or R&D programs in the private sector in the coming years

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