[Brainstorm] Getting Ready for the PracticalMEEG & Brainstorm Workshop

PracticalMEEG2025
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Dear Brainstorm participants,

As the 3rd edition of the Practical MEEG event approaches, we would like to share some important information to help you prepare in advance.

Preparation Before the Workshop:

To ensure a smooth and productive experience, please complete the following tasks before your arrival:

1. Install MATLAB

  • A free trial version
  • Please make sure it is fully installed and activated before the workshop.

2. Install Brainstorm software

3. Download the Workshop Dataset (check the next post)

4. Prepare your laptop

  • Ensure both MATLAB and Brainstorm are installed and tested.
  • Have the datasets ready for immediate use.
  • Bring your own computer, charger, mouse, and electrical adaptor if needed.
  • We also highly recommend bringing an external mouse for better usability.

We kindly ask all participants to complete the installations and downloads before the event.
If you encounter any issues, please post your questions here so the team can assist you.

A detailed walkthrough will be posted here in the coming days.

We look forward to seeing you soon and hope you enjoy an engaging and hands-on experience at Practical MEEG!

A bientĂ´t in Marseille!!

Best,

Takfarinas and Guiomar for the Brainstorm team

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:package: Brainstorm @PracticalMEEG2025 — Data Package Updates

We have pruned and reorganized the data to include only the essential files required for the workshop [for the Brainstorm Sessions].

All necessary datasets are now provided in a smaller, ready-to-use folder that includes the Zenodo data and complementary materials.

The following material folder contains: (size ~5Go)

  • ds000117_pruned.zip — Pruned version of the original dataset, including T1 MRI and DWI data.

  • femmat_tensors.mat — Realistic FEM head model with mesh and conductivity tensors (from DWI).

  • PracticalMEEG_sub-01_3-runs.zip — Preprocessed data for subject sub-01 with 3 runs (sensor, forward, source, and TF data).

  • PracticalMEEGGroup_pruned.zip — Group-level data from 20 16 subjects (6 runs each), containing intra-subject folders only; MEG source maps for Face–Scramble retained.

  • Readme.txt — Overview and instructions for the PracticalMEEG 2025 workshop materials.

PracticalMEEG2025

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Hi, thanks for uploading the data. Unfortunately, looks like the data can’t be downloaded at the moment — Google Drive says too many people have accessed it recently. I’ll give it another try tomorrow.

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Hi @Brilliant

Please give it another try and let me know if it works.
I also have it on a USB, so I can share it during the session if needed.

See you at the event!

Best,

Takfarinas

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Hi Brainstormers,

Important Notice!

The free MATLAB trial includes a variety of free toolboxes.

  • statistics
  • machine learning
  • signal processing
  • image processing
  • parallel computing

While Brainstorm can run without these toolboxes, having some of them installed will enable additional features.

To ensure a consistent setup across participants.

:backhand_index_pointing_right: At minimum, please install:

  • Signal Processing Toolbox

Here are instructions on how to do it:
https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/101885-how-do-i-install-additional-toolboxes-into-an-existing-installation-of-matlab#answer_111232

Thanks,

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Dear Brainstormers,

For the first part of Day 3, to demonstrate how scripts can be used & and to ensure everyone has the same protocol structure, please run the following script to automatically generate everything we performed in the previous sessions. (if we have tie we can go through it at the next session)

  1. Download the attached script

  2. Place it in your working directory

  3. Rename the file from .txt to .m

  4. Run the script in MATLAB

% Please note that the pruned version contain only the data from one subject

% Single subject: sub-01 run 1

bids_dir = 'C:\PracticalMEEG2025\ds000117_pruned'; % path to to the data

reports_dir = 'C:\PracticalMEEG2025\brainstorm_report\subject01_report'; % output report

tic

script_practicalMEEG_sub01(bids_dir, reports_dir)

tsingle = toc;

script_practicalMEEG_sub01.txt (26.2 KB)

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Hi all,

If you haven’t completed all the previous steps, you can download the following protocol and load it into your Brainstorm session:

https://we.tl/t-JSwdzzJyW7

If you already have your trials and source files, then you don’t need this protocol.

We will use this protocol for the first hour of the session.

Afterwards, we will switch to the multiple-run protocol (available in the previous shared folder).

A+,
Takfarinas

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Practicalmeeg2025_brainstorm_walkthrough_final.docx (1).pdf (9.2 MB)

Here is the current version of the tuto

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Dear Brainstorm Participants,

On behalf of the entire Brainstorm team, thank you for joining us at the PracticalMEEG2025.

Your engagement, questions, and collaborative spirit made the event a truly enriching experience.

:brain: Workshop Materials: All materials from the workshop, including the walkthrough document, dataset, and presentation slides, are now available on the CuttingEEG Zenodo page: [PracticalMeeg2025: Brainstorm hands-on tutorial]

:red_question_mark: Q&A Summary: We’ve compiled a detailed summary addressing key questions discussed during the workshop. If you have any further questions, please ask them on the forums.

:speech_balloon: Share Your Feedback: Your input helps us improve future sessions and shape Brainstorm’s development. Please take a moment to complete our post-workshop survey and share your ideas, requests, or feedback.

:globe_with_meridians: [PracticalMEEG/CuttingEEG Users Forum]: If you have any questions or want to discuss and share anything, the CuttingEEG forum is the best place to do so: [u]https://forum.cuttingeeg.org/[/u]

:globe_with_meridians: [PracticalMEEG/Ressources]: you can find here all materials shared during the conference, including PDFs, videos of the talks, posters, CuttingEEg news session.

Please find below more information related to Brainstorm:

:books: Explore Past Courses and Workshops: Browse a full archive of previous Brainstorm training events, complete with materials, code, data, and videos :backhand_index_pointing_right: [Previous Courses and Workshops]

:hammer_and_wrench: Check Out Software Updates: Keep up with the latest Brainstorm improvements and new features :backhand_index_pointing_right: [News Page]

:laptop: Explore or Contribute on GitHub: Visit our open-source repository and check/contribute to Brainstorm’s development :backhand_index_pointing_right: [Brainstorm GitHub]

:movie_camera: Watch Tutorials on YouTube: Guided tutorials, demos, and recorded sessions :backhand_index_pointing_right: [Brainstorm on YouTube]

:globe_with_meridians: Join the Brainstorm Community Forum: Ask questions, connect with users and developers, and explore tips :backhand_index_pointing_right: [Brainstorm Forum]

:mobile_phone: Follow Us on Social Media & Stay Connected with Brainstorm Events and Updates:
LinkedIn – Brainstorm Multimodal Neuroimaging
X (Twitter) – [u]@brainstormteam[/u]
Facebook – Brainstorm Neuroimaging

:folded_hands: Acknowledgments
We’re grateful to the Practical2025 organizers and all those involved in making this workshop & conference successful. Your efforts ensured a smooth, engaging, and impactful event.

Warm regards,
The Brainstorm @PracticalMEEG25 Team