Brain simulation as a cloud service: The Virtual Brain on EBRAINS.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Computational Neuroscience
• Brain Network Modeling

Background:

• The Virtual Brain (TVB) is a powerful platform for brain network modeling.
• Accessibility and scalability have been key challenges for widespread adoption.
• Integration with cloud platforms is crucial for handling large datasets and collaborative research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce The Virtual Brain (TVB) as open-source cloud services on the EBRAINS research platform.
• To detail the comprehensive suite of tools and resources available through TVB on EBRAINS.
• To highlight the benefits of TVB cloud services for reproducible research, collaboration, and clinical translation.

Main Methods:

• TVB offers software for constructing, simulating, and analyzing brain network models.
• Includes MRI processing pipelines for extracting structural and functional brain networks.
• Features combined simulation of large-scale and small-scale spiking networks, automatic code conversion, and Bayesian parameter optimization.
• Provides simulation-ready models for patients and healthy volunteers, plus mouse brain simulation data and software.

Main Results:

• TVB is now accessible as open-source services on the EBRAINS cloud platform.
• A wide range of functionalities are available, including network construction, simulation, and analysis.
• Services support advanced techniques like combined network simulations and Bayesian optimization.
• Educational materials and simulation-ready models are provided for diverse research needs.

Conclusions:

• TVB cloud services on EBRAINS enhance reproducible online collaboration and discovery.
• Scalable and secure workflows are established, supporting large cohort studies.
• These advancements are essential for improving generalizability and enabling clinical translation of brain network research.