A groundbreaking circuit diagram of neurons in a mammalian brain has been created, revealing half a billion synapses and 5.4km of neuronal wiring, shedding light on the intricate workings of the human mind.
A team of scientists has created the most comprehensive circuit diagram of neurons in a mammalian brain, providing groundbreaking insights into the intricate workings of the human mind.
The mammalian brain is a complex and highly specialized organ that enables mammals to perceive, process, and respond to their environment.
Comprising approximately 86 billion neurons, it is divided into three main regions: the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem.
The cerebrum processes sensory information, controls movement, and facilitates thought and emotion.
The cerebellum coordinates muscle movements, while the brainstem regulates basic functions such as breathing and heart rate.
Research suggests that the mammalian brain accounts for approximately 2% of an adult's body weight yet consumes around 20% of its energy expenditure.
The 3D map of a cubic millimetre of mouse brain reveals half a billion synapses and 5.4km of neuronal wiring, shedding light on how the brain is organized and how different cell types work together.
The MICrONS Project: A Breakthrough in Neuroscience
The MICrONS project aimed to map the structure of neurons and investigate the electrical signalling between them. Scientists at Baylor College of Medicine in Texas began by recording brain activity from a target region as an animal watched various movies and YouTube clips.
The MICrONS (Microscopic Imaging of Cytometry and Next-Generation Sequencing) project is a collaborative research initiative that aims to develop new methods for imaging and analyzing biological samples.
Led by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, the project combines cutting-edge technologies such as microscopy and next-generation sequencing to study cellular structures and functions.
The MICrONS project has significant implications for fields like cancer research, neurology, and immunology.
The Allen Institute researchers then sliced the cubic millimetre of brain into more than 25,000 layers, each 1/400th the width of a human hair, and used electron microscopes to take high-resolution pictures of each slice.
Reconstructing the Brain: A Collaborative Effort
Another team at Princeton University used artificial intelligence and machine learning to reconstruct the cells and connections into a 3D volume. The massive data set is 1.6 petabytes in size, equivalent to 22 years of non-stop HD video. This collaborative effort has resulted in a 3D map that reveals new cell types and a new principle of inhibition within the brain.
The brain is a complex organ that processes and integrates vast amounts of information from various sources.
It consists of billions of neurons, which communicate with each other through electrical and chemical signals.
The brain's primary functions include controlling movement, processing sensory information, regulating emotions, and facilitating thought, perception, and memory.
Studies have shown that the brain uses approximately 20% of the body's energy expenditure while accounting for only 2% of its mass.
New Insights into Brain Function
The findings have significant implications for our understanding of intelligence, consciousness, and neuronal conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s , autism, and schizophrenia. The researchers hope to use this blueprint-like structure to compare healthy brain wiring with diseased brain wiring in the future. As Dr. Nuno da Costa noted, ‘If you have a broken radio and you have the circuit diagram, you’ll be in a better position to fix it.‘
