W5: Topological insights on brain structure and function

Description: Over the past couple of decades, network science has gained considerable ground in computational neuroscience, with a shift in research from localized activations towards analysis of whole-brain networks. Most of the previous work related to brain networks has been focused on modeling pairwise interactions. However, there is a growing recognition that higher-order interactions between brain regions at the structural as well as functional level can be highly informative for understanding brain functioning.

A promising framework from the field of algebraic topology and other related tools (collectively known as Topological Data Analysis or TDA) has been recently shown to provide a solution to this issue. The talks in this workshop will present a wide array of current applications of TDA in neuroscience, ranging from topological analysis of synaptic plasticity to whole-brain activity/connectivity and their dynamics. Some of the talks will also discuss the potential applications of TDA-based analysis in clinical settings.