Vasileios Zikopoulos, PhD

Publications

• Lists of published works: Google Scholar

Selected Publications

• Biophysical Modeling of Thalamocortical Circuit Dynamics: Species-Specific Insights into Neural Synchrony, Sleep Spindles, and Mechanisms of Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Zikopoulos B, Matuk N, Romanova I, Yazdanbakhsh A.bioRxiv [Preprint]. 2026 Feb 3:2026.02.01.703170. doi:10.64898/2026.02.01.703170.PMID: 41676473 Free PMC article.Preprint.
• Explainable 3D CNNs link regional and network level disruption in early Parkinson’s MRIs to symptom progression. Moroze E, Zikopoulos B, Yazdanbakhsh A.bioRxiv [Preprint]. 2025 Dec 3:2025.11.17.688918. doi: 10.1101/2025.11.17.688918.PMID: 41383753 Free PMC article.Preprint.
• Structural changes in autism reflect atypical brain network organization and phenotypical heterogeneity: a hybrid deep network approach. Lokray S, Zikopoulos B, Yazdanbakhsh A.bioRxiv [Preprint]. 2025 Dec 3:2025.11.02.686152. doi: 10.1101/2025.11.02.686152.PMID: 41377502 Free PMC article.Preprint.
• Artificial Intelligence Networks Combining Histopathology and Machine Learning Can Extract Axon Pathology in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Yazdanbakhsh A, Dang KTM, Kuang K, Lian T, Liu X, Xie S, Zikopoulos B.Autism Res. 2025 Nov;18(11):2210-2230. doi: 10.1002/aur.70135. Epub 2025 Nov 3.PMID: 41178535 Free PMC article. Open Access Article.
• Cortical circuit principles predict patterns of trauma induced tauopathy in humans. Barbas H, Garcia-Cabezas MÁ, John Y, Bautista J, McKee A, Zikopoulos B.Cereb Cortex. 2025 Aug 1;35(8):bhaf209. doi: 10.1093/cercor/bhaf209.PMID: 40817910 Free PMC article. Article Open Access Article (preprint).
• The Cortical Structural Model Extends to Thalamocortical Connections. Barbas H, Zikopoulos B.Eur J Neurosci. 2025 Jun;61(12):e70167. doi: 10.1111/ejn.70167.PMID: 40542691 Free PMC article.
• A neural modeling approach to study mechanisms underlying the heterogeneity of visual spatial frequency sensitivity in schizophrenia. Dugan C, Zikopoulos B, Yazdanbakhsh A.Schizophrenia (Heidelb). 2024 Jul 16;10(1):63. doi: 10.1038/s41537-024-00480-2.PMID: 39013944 Free PMC article. Open Access Article.
• Pattern of ventral temporal lobe interconnections in rhesus macaques. Bautista J, García-Cabezas MÁ, Medalla M, Rosene DL, Zikopoulos B, Barbas H.J Comp Neurol. 2023 Dec;531(18):1963-1986. doi: 10.1002/cne.25550. Epub 2023 Nov 2.PMID: 37919833 Free PMC article.
• Editorial: Methods and applications in frontiers in neuroanatomy. Ricard C, Alonso-Nanclares L, Zikopoulos B, Oheim M.Front Neuroanat. 2023 Aug 29;17:1256867. doi: 10.3389/fnana.2023.1256867. eCollection 2023.PMID: 37711586 Free PMC article.No abstract available. Open Access Article.
• A neural model of modified excitation/inhibition and feedback levels in schizophrenia. Zhu J, Zikopoulos B, Yazdanbakhsh A.Front Psychiatry. 2023 Aug 15;14:1199690. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1199690. eCollection 2023.PMID: 37900297 Free PMC article. Open Access Article.
• Laminar Excitatory Inputs to the Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex: Implications for Periadolescent Synaptic Plasticity and Circuit Pathology. Medalla M, Zikopoulos B.Biol Psychiatry. 2023 Aug 15;94(4):280-282. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2023.06.005.PMID: 37495330 No abstract available.
• Sleep spindles in primates: Modeling the effects of distinct laminar thalamocortical connectivity in core, matrix, and reticular thalamic circuits. Yazdanbakhsh A, Barbas H, Zikopoulos B.Netw Neurosci. 2023 Jun 30;7(2):743-768. doi: 10.1162/netn_a_00311. eCollection 2023.PMID: 37397882 Free PMC article.
• Homology of neocortical areas in rats and primates based on cortical type analysis: an update of the Hypothesis on the Dual Origin of the Neocortex. García-Cabezas MÁ, Hacker JL, Zikopoulos B.Brain Struct Funct. 2023 Jun;228(5):1069-1093. doi: 10.1007/s00429-022-02548-0. Epub 2022 Aug 12.PMID: 35962240 Free PMC article. Open Access Article.
• The inevitable inequality of cortical columns. Barbas H, Zikopoulos B, John YJ.Front Syst Neurosci. 2022 Sep 20;16:921468. doi: 10.3389/fnsys.2022.921468. eCollection 2022.PMID: 36203745 Free PMC article. Open Access Article.
• The cortical spectrum: A robust structural continuum in primate cerebral cortex revealed by histological staining and magnetic resonance imaging. John YJ, Zikopoulos B, García-Cabezas MÁ, Barbas H.Front Neuroanat. 2022 Sep 9;16:897237. doi: 10.3389/fnana.2022.897237. eCollection 2022.PMID: 36157324 Free PMC article. Open Access Article.
• Visual illusion susceptibility in autism: A neural model. Park S, Zikopoulos B, Yazdanbakhsh A.Eur J Neurosci. 2022 Aug;56(3):4246-4265. doi: 10.1111/ejn.15739. Epub 2022 Jun 22.PMID: 35701859 Free PMC article. Open Access Article.
• Chondroitin Sulphate Proteoglycan Axonal Coats in the Human Mediodorsal Thalamic Nucleus. Pantazopoulos H, Hossain NM, Chelini G, Durning P, Barbas H, Zikopoulos B, Berretta S.Front Integr Neurosci. 2022 Jul 6;16:934764. doi: 10.3389/fnint.2022.934764. eCollection 2022.PMID: 35875507 Free PMC article. Open Access Article.
• The highways and byways of the brain. Hilgetag CC, Zikopoulos B.PLoS Biol. 2022 Mar 31;20(3):e3001612. doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001612. eCollection 2022 Mar.PMID: 35358176 Free PMC article. Open Access Article.
• Aging-induced microbleeds of the mouse thalamus compared to sensorimotor and memory defects. Wang Y, Taylor E, Zikopoulos B, Seta F, Huang N, Hamilton JA, Kantak KM, Morgan KG.Neurobiol Aging. 2021 Apr;100:39-47. doi: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2020.11.017. Epub 2020 Dec 9.PMID: 33477010 Free PMC article. Open Access Article.
• A Protocol for Cortical Type Analysis of the Human Neocortex Applied on Histological Samples, the Atlas of Von Economo and Koskinas, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging. García-Cabezas MÁ, Hacker JL, Zikopoulos B.Front Neuroanat. 2020 Dec 7;14:576015. doi: 10.3389/fnana.2020.576015. eCollection 2020.PMID: 33364924 Free PMC article. Open Access Article.
• Imbalance of laminar-specific excitatory and inhibitory circuits of the orbitofrontal cortex in autism. Liu X, Bautista J, Liu E, Zikopoulos B.Mol Autism. 2020 Oct 20;11(1):83. doi: 10.1186/s13229-020-00390-x.PMID: 33081829 Free PMC article. Open Access Article.
• Organization of primate amygdalar-thalamic pathways for emotions. Timbie C, García-Cabezas MÁ, Zikopoulos B, Barbas H.PLoS Biol. 2020 Feb 27;18(2):e3000639. doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000639. eCollection 2020 Feb.PMID: 32106269 Free PMC article. Open Access Article.
• Evolution, development, and organization of the cortical connectome. García-Cabezas MÁ, Zikopoulos B.PLoS Biol. 2019 May 10;17(5):e3000259. doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000259. eCollection 2019 May.PMID: 31075099 Free PMC article. Open Access Article.
• The Structural Model: a theory linking connections, plasticity, pathology, development and evolution of the cerebral cortex. García-Cabezas MÁ, Zikopoulos B, Barbas H.Brain Struct Funct. 2019 Apr;224(3):985-1008. doi: 10.1007/s00429-019-01841-9. Epub 2019 Feb 9.PMID: 30739157 Free PMC article. Article.
• Postnatal development and maturation of layer 1 in the lateral prefrontal cortex and its disruption in autism. Trutzer IM, García-Cabezas MÁ, Zikopoulos B.Acta Neuropathol Commun. 2019 Mar 13;7(1):40. doi: 10.1186/s40478-019-0684-8.PMID: 30867066 Free PMC article. Open Access Article.
• Visual Attention Deficits in Schizophrenia Can Arise From Inhibitory Dysfunction in Thalamus or Cortex. John YJ, Zikopoulos B, Bullock D, Barbas H.Comput Psychiatr. 2018 Dec;2:223-257. doi: 10.1162/cpsy_a_00023.PMID: 30627672 Free PMC article. Open Access Article.
• Opposite development of short- and long-range anterior cingulate pathways in autism. Zikopoulos B, Liu X, Tepe J, Trutzer I, John YJ, Barbas H.Acta Neuropathol. 2018 Nov;136(5):759-778. doi: 10.1007/s00401-018-1904-1. Epub 2018 Sep 6.PMID: 30191402 Free PMC article. Open Access Article.
• Parallel Development of Chromatin Patterns, Neuron Morphology, and Connections: Potential for Disruption in Autism. García-Cabezas MÁ, Barbas H, Zikopoulos B.Front Neuroanat. 2018 Aug 17;12:70. doi: 10.3389/fnana.2018.00070. eCollection 2018.PMID: 30174592 Free PMC article. Open Access Article.
• Parallel trends in cortical gray and white matter architecture and connections in primates allow fine study of pathways in humans and reveal network disruptions in autism. Zikopoulos B, García-Cabezas MÁ, Barbas H.PLoS Biol. 2018 Feb 5;16(2):e2004559. doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.2004559. eCollection 2018 Feb.PMID: 29401206 Free PMC article. Open Access Article.
• Mirror trends of plasticity and stability indicators in primate prefrontal cortex. García-Cabezas MÁ, Joyce MKP, John YJ, Zikopoulos B, Barbas H.Eur J Neurosci. 2017 Oct;46(8):2392-2405. doi: 10.1111/ejn.13706. Epub 2017 Oct 4.PMID: 28921934 Free PMC article. Open Access Article.
• Posterior Orbitofrontal and Anterior Cingulate Pathways to the Amygdala Target Inhibitory and Excitatory Systems with Opposite Functions. Zikopoulos B, Höistad M, John Y, Barbas H.J Neurosci. 2017 May 17;37(20):5051-5064. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3940-16.2017. Epub 2017 Apr 14.PMID: 28411274 Free PMC article. Open Access Article.
• Distinction of Neurons, Glia and Endothelial Cells in the Cerebral Cortex: An Algorithm Based on Cytological Features. García-Cabezas MÁ, John YJ, Barbas H, Zikopoulos B.Front Neuroanat. 2016 Nov 1;10:107. doi: 10.3389/fnana.2016.00107. eCollection 2016.PMID: 27847469 Free PMC article. Open Access Article.
• The intercalated nuclear complex of the primate amygdala. Zikopoulos B, John YJ, García-Cabezas MÁ, Bunce JG, Barbas H.Neuroscience. 2016 Aug 25;330:267-90. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.05.052. Epub 2016 May 30.PMID: 27256508 Free PMC article.
• The Emotional Gatekeeper: A Computational Model of Attentional Selection and Suppression through the Pathway from the Amygdala to the Inhibitory Thalamic Reticular Nucleus. John YJ, Zikopoulos B, Bullock D, Barbas H.PLoS Comput Biol. 2016 Feb 1;12(2):e1004722. doi: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1004722. eCollection 2016 Feb.PMID: 26828203 Free PMC article. Open Access Article.
• Toward patient-specific targeting and parameter setting of deep brain stimulation for relief of depression. Barbas H, Zikopoulos B.Biol Psychiatry. 2014 Dec 15;76(12):914-6. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2014.09.012. Epub 2014 Nov 20.PMID: 25454067 No abstract available.
• State-dependent architecture of thalamic reticular subnetworks. Halassa MM, Chen Z, Wimmer RD, Brunetti PM, Zhao S, Zikopoulos B, Wang F, Brown EN, Wilson MA.Cell. 2014 Aug 14;158(4):808-821. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2014.06.025.PMID: 25126786 Free PMC article. Open Access Article.
• Parallel prefrontal pathways reach distinct excitatory and inhibitory systems in memory-related rhinal cortices. Bunce JG, Zikopoulos B, Feinberg M, Barbas H.J Comp Neurol. 2013 Dec 15;521(18):4260-83. doi: 10.1002/cne.23413.PMID: 23839697 Free PMC article.
• Altered neural connectivity in excitatory and inhibitory cortical circuits in autism. Zikopoulos B, Barbas H.Front Hum Neurosci. 2013 Sep 27;7:609. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2013.00609. eCollection 2013.PMID: 24098278 Free PMC article. Open Access Article.
• Frontal-thalamic circuits associated with language. Barbas H, García-Cabezas MÁ, Zikopoulos B.Brain Lang. 2013 Jul;126(1):49-61. doi: 10.1016/j.bandl.2012.10.001. Epub 2012 Dec 1.PMID: 23211411 Free PMC article. Article.
• Anatomy and computational modeling of networks underlying cognitive-emotional interaction. John YJ, Bullock D, Zikopoulos B, Barbas H.Front Hum Neurosci. 2013 Apr 2;7:101. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2013.00101. eCollection 2013.PMID: 23565082 Free PMC article. Open Access Article.
• Pathways for emotions and attention converge on the thalamic reticular nucleus in primates. Zikopoulos B, Barbas H.J Neurosci. 2012 Apr 11;32(15):5338-50. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4793-11.2012.PMID: 22496579 Free PMC article. Open Access Article.
• Sensory pathways and emotional context for action in primate prefrontal cortex. Barbas H, Zikopoulos B, Timbie C.Biol Psychiatry. 2011 Jun 15;69(12):1133-9. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2010.08.008. Epub 2010 Oct 2.PMID: 20889144 Review.
• Changes in prefrontal axons may disrupt the network in autism. Zikopoulos B, Barbas H.J Neurosci. 2010 Nov 3;30(44):14595-609. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2257-10.2010.PMID: 21048117 Free PMC article. Open Access Article.
• Laminar and modular organization of prefrontal projections to multiple thalamic nuclei. Xiao D, Zikopoulos B, Barbas H.Neuroscience. 2009 Jul 21;161(4):1067-81. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2009.04.034. Epub 2009 Apr 17.PMID: 19376204 Free PMC article.
• The prefrontal cortex and flexible behavior. Barbas H, Zikopoulos B. 2007 Oct;13(5):532-45. doi: 10.1177/1073858407301369.PMID: 17901261 Free PMC article.Review. Article.
• Parallel driving and modulatory pathways link the prefrontal cortex and thalamus. Zikopoulos B, Barbas H.PLoS One. 2007 Sep 5;2(9):e848. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0000848.PMID: 17786219 Free PMC article. Open Access Article.
• Circuits formultisensory integration and attentional modulation through the prefrontal cortex and the thalamic reticular nucleus in primates. Zikopoulos B, Barbas H.Rev Neurosci. 2007;18(6):417-38. doi: 10.1515/revneuro.2007.18.6.417.PMID: 18330211 Free PMC article. Article.
• Prefrontal projections to the thalamic reticular nucleus form a unique circuit for attentional mechanisms. Zikopoulos B, Barbas H.J Neurosci. 2006 Jul 12;26(28):7348-61. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.5511-05.2006.PMID: 16837581 Free PMC article. Open Access Article.
• Relationship of prefrontal connections to inhibitory systems in superior temporal areas in the rhesus monkey. Barbas H, Medalla M, Alade O, Suski J, Zikopoulos B, Lera P.Cereb Cortex. 2005 Sep;15(9):1356-70. doi: 10.1093/cercor/bhi018. Epub 2005 Jan 5.PMID: 15635060 Article.