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2w ago

Scientists Unveil Largest-Ever Wiring and Functional Map of a Mammalian Brain

The MICrONS project maps 84,000 neurons and 500 million synapses in a mouse's visual cortex, offering unprecedented insights into brain structure and function.

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Researchers R. Clay Reid and Leila Elabbady examine data from the MICrONS project at an Allen Institute laboratory in Seattle, U.S., in this photograph released on April 9, 2025. Allen Institute/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES
Researchers Bethanny Danskin and Leila Elabbady examine high-resolution brain imaging and corresponding neuronal reconstructions from the MICrONS dataset at an Allen Institute laboratory in Seattle, U.S., in this photograph released on April 9, 2025. Allen Institute/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES
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Overview

  • An international team of over 150 scientists has created the most detailed 3D wiring and functional map of a mammalian brain, focusing on a mouse's visual cortex.
  • The dataset includes 84,000 neurons, 500 million synapses, and 3.4 miles of neuronal wiring, reconstructed using advanced electron microscopy and AI techniques.
  • Neural activity was recorded in real-time as the mouse watched video clips, linking structural data to functional brain processes.
  • The open-access map provides a foundational resource for understanding healthy brain networks and comparing them to models of neurological disorders like Alzheimer's and autism.
  • This achievement, comparable to the Human Genome Project, is expected to drive future breakthroughs in neuroscience and treatments for brain-related conditions.