BRAPH for Python: graph theory and graph neural networks for brain connectivity analysis

Syntronic AB collaborates with the Karolinska Institute and the University of Gothenburg in developing the software BRAPH (Brain Analysis with graPH theory). BRAPH is used for analyzing brain graphs derived from brain imaging data. With the increasing prevalence of neurodegenerative disorders, there is a need for new reliable methods for diagnosis to help implementing preventive treatments before damage is widespread. To this aim, Syntronic has developed a new Python version of BRAPH and investigated the potential use of implementing artificial intelligence to the software. In particular, the ability of different classes of Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) in detecting Alzheimer’s disease from MRI derived brain graphs has been studied. The study showed promising results using Graph Convolutional Neural Networks; a class of ANNs that generalize convolutions to graphs. The goal is to implement a new machine learning toolbox to BRAPH to exploit the benefits of these algorithms.