Solving Problems in Mental Health Using Multi-Scale Computational Neuroscience. Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto.
01-Overview
The Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics is excited to offer a five-day intensive project-based learning week where trainees will learn hands-on techniques for integrating multi-scale neuroscience data. This course is designed to introduce participants to the concepts and methods behind psychiatric neuroinformatics - encompassing genetics, brain structure and function, and cognition. In addition, participants will uncover the links between modalities of human genomics, neuronal electrophysiology, structural and functional neuroimaging, and observed behaviour that KCNI scientists are integrating through a series of virtual modules and a group-based project using real-world data types to study mental illness.
This unique learning opportunity will prepare participants to handle and analyze multiple data types in hopes that their own research may benefit from collaborative, multi-modal approaches. Critically, participants will also learn about best practices for data management and quality control in the context of integrative analysis.
02-Topics & Instructors
Major topics covered:
Psychiatric epidemiology and framing the central issue of heterogeneity in mental illness
Psychiatric genetics, translating germ-line genetic variation into individual brain function
Neuronal population activity in cortical microcircuits, and the relationship to brain signals observable in clinic
Whole-brain meso-scale structural and functional variation
Bayesian models of perception and learning; applications to neuroimaging and electroencephalography
Population-based subtyping and the identification of genetically determined neural dynamics in clinical cohorts
Putting it all together: using whole-person data from each scale to identify subtypes of psychiatric patients with
distinct symptomatic and functional trajectories using biostatistical approaches
Ethics, Fairness and Health Equity: Explore the ethical dimensions of data collection, curation and model building and their impact on fairness and health equity using concrete tools and best practices
Participants will be introduced to all the topics listed below via our virtual learning series:
Understand the fundamental concept of Psychiatric genetics
Learn how to integrate psychiatric genetics with multi-omics data (incl. Single-cell transcriptomics)
Learn how to model neuronal population activity in cortical circuits
Learn how to model whole-brain macro-connectomics and neural dynamics
Learn how to apply Bayesian models of perception & learning used to neuroimaging & electrophysiological data
Integrate Psychiatric epidemiology and apply Population-based subtyping
Ethics, fairness and health equity in Al and healthcare
Understand collection and analysis of real-world data in mental health
Virtual Learning Modules / Instructors
A Multiscale Approach to Brain Disorders - Dr. Sean Hill, Director of KCNI
Problems and opportunities in the diagnosis and treatment of major depression - Drs Victor Tang and Brett Jones - Clinician Scientists at CAMH
Computing Fundamentals - KCNI Biostatics and KCNI Operations
We will be contacting those selected to attend the summer school with an invitation to register (at a minical cost of $50). This year, we intend our project week will be offered in-person, at the Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics in the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (250 College Street) Toronto, Canada.
Eligibility and prerequisites:
Applications from senior undergraduate students, graduate students, post-graduate research and clinical fellows, as well as early-career scientists will be considered.
To ensure that all attendees can fully follow and benefit from the practical assignments, some minimal and demonstrable experience in R and Python is a minimum requirement.
No previous formal training in psychiatry or informatics is necessary, however - and researchers from diverse backgrounds (e.g. medicine, computer science, biology, psychology, engineering etc.) are encouraged to apply.
Total Enrolment (project week): 30
Note: there is not need to pre-register or apply for our virtual seminars or learning materials - these are open to all.
04-Project Week
Project Week 2023
When July 10-14, 2023
Intended Audience: Graduate Students, Post-Graduate Research and Clinical Fellows, as well as Early-Career Scientists with interest in learning more about Neuroinformatics
Where: In-person at the Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics, 12th Floor, 250 College Street, Toronto, Canada
Cost: Minimal ($50), only 30 spots available
costs for travel and local accommodation (Toronto, Canada) are not provided.
Applied Ethics in Machine Learning - Dr. Daniel Buchman
Fairness - Justice Equity, Diversity and Inclusion - and Health Equity - Drs Laura Sikstrom & Marta Maslej
Digital Health for Mental Health - Dr Abishek Pratap
Fundamental Methods for Genomic Analysis - Dr Daniel Felsky
Fundamental Methods for Single-Cell Transcriptome Analysis - Dr Shreejoy Tripathy and the Computational Genomics Group
Simulating Brain Microcircuit Activity and Signals in Mental Health - Dr Etay Hay and Frank Mazza of the Brain Circuit Modeling Group
Neuroimaging Connectomics - Drs John Griffiths and Erin Dickie
Whole-Brain Modelling - Dr John Griffiths and the Whole Brain Modeling Group
Bayesian Models of Learning and Integration of Neuroimaging Data - Dr Andreea Diaconescu and the Cognitive Network Modeling Lab
Population-Based Data Resources & Integrative Research Methods - Drs Daniel Felsky and Joanna Yu - KCNI Brain Health Databank
06-Location
This year, we intend our project week will be offered in-person (barring new pandemic restrictions), at the Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics in the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (250 College Street) Toronto, Canada.
The team at the Krembil Centre for Neuroinfomatics is putting today’s most advanced technology to work on this universal task that will unlock the power of personalized medicine to change the world.
With CAMH’s unique position as a data-driven organization and a leading mental health hospital, #KrembilNeuroinformatics is tackling the problem with an unprecedented approach.
Taking all of the data that exists in, about and around a person—everything from their cellular makeup to sleep patterns—to create personalized brain models and make predictions about mental health.
What we are doing is unique across the globe and will lead to more precise treatments for patients, which means better outcomes and faster recovery.
