Null models for lesion network mapping

Nature Neuroscience, Published online: 30 March 2026; doi:10.1038/s41593-026-02259-3

Van den Heuvel et al. show that lesion-network mapping (LNM)-derived circuits converge across disorders and argue that this convergence reflects a fundamental methodological limitation of LNM. We evaluate ways forward for future LNM studies, including robust null models, in light of these concerns. We view recapitulation of connectome modularity and high-order network properties by LNM as clinically informative and biologically meaningful.