Mean-field modeling of brain-scale dynamics for the evaluation of EEG source-space networks

Abstract

Understanding the dynamics of brain-scale functional networks at rest and during cognitive tasks is the subject of intense research efforts to unveil fundamental principles of brain functions. To estimate these large-scale brain networks, the emergent method called "electroencephalography (EEG) source connectivity" has generated increasing interest in the network neuroscience community, due to its ability to identify cortical brain networks with satisfactory spatio-temporal resolution, while reducing mixing and volume conduction effects. However, no consensus has been reached yet regarding a unified EEG source connectivity pipeline, and several methodological issues have to be carefully accounted for to avoid pitfalls. Thus, a validation toolbox that provides flexible "ground truth" models is needed for an objective methods/parameters evaluation and, thereby an optimization of the EEG source connectivity pipeline. In this paper, we show how a recently developed large-scale model of brain-scale activity, named COALIA, can provide to some extent such ground truth by providing realistic simulations of source-level and scalp-level activity. Using a bottom-up approach, the model bridges cortical micro-circuitry and large-scale network dynamics. Here, we provide an example of the potential use of COALIA to analyze, in the context of epileptiform activity, the effect of three key factors involved in the "EEG source connectivity" pipeline: (i) EEG sensors density, (ii) algorithm used to solve the inverse problem, and (iii) functional connectivity measure. Results showed that a high electrode density (at least 64 channels) is required to accurately estimate cortical networks. Regarding the inverse solution/connectivity measure combination, the best performance at high electrode density was obtained using the weighted minimum norm estimate (wMNE) combined with the weighted phase lag index (wPLI). Although those results are specific to the considered aforementioned context (epileptiform activity), we believe that this model-based approach can be successfully applied to other experimental questions/contexts. We aim at presenting a proof-of-concept of the interest of COALIA in the network neuroscience field, and its potential use in optimizing the EEG source-space network estimation pipeline.