Scientists use new programs to map connections of the human brain

By Caleb Garling July 28, 2011

The structure of the human brain is perhaps, still, one of science’s greatest mysteries. As discovery paves the way through the human genome (our six billion basepairs of DNA) and human proteome (our vast array of proteins), one of the greatest remaining questions has been, “How do the neurons in our brain connect?” That mapping has been termed the connectome.

Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research have utilized two newly developed computer programs to shed some light on the answer. Using both the KNOSSOS (aptly named for the legendary labyrinth) and RESCOP (no known Greek roots) the researchers were able to map roughly 100 neurons for over 70 students.

This is a massive step. Considering that there are over 70 billion neurons in our brain, all with variable connections to one another, even the fastest and powerful computers of today have been unable to generate models. And if there are 6.5 billion people on earth, each with slightly different connections, the calculations becomes endless.

RESCOP is designed to alleviate that second problem, by synthesizing the results from each of the subjects so that a general picture of the connections can be developed. KNOSSOS as its name implies, does the actual mapping of the neuronal connections. Subjects’ neurons are stained with a (safe) heavy metal which allows microscopes to see the connections between dendrites and axons. This three-dimensional picture is then recorded and analyzed, then repeated on a new section of neuron—a cumbersome process still. KNOSSOS is powerful enough that it can create and process the 3D pictures, and connect them to others roughly 50 times faster than previous programs.

There was also a time when mapping the human genome also seemed an endless task. And it has long past.

(Photo credit: Case Organic)

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Emerging Tech

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Emerging Tech

A virtual town called Neuralville is teaching scientists how the brain navigates

neuralville brain navigates 213314 web

Move over Disney’s town of Celebration, Florida; psychologists at Emory University have built their own settlement -- and it’s called Neuralville. Only it’s not real. It’s a simulated town that lives only in the virtual world. And while that makes it sound no different to any of the hundreds of virtual dwellings found everywhere from Minecraft to The Sims to the Civilization games, Neuralville is a bit different in its ambitions.

The Emory University researchers created it as a way to help unlock the secrets of the human brain, by using fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) technology to observe how people’s brains respond when they navigate its sidewalks. Specifically, they want to use this model town to map the functions of the brain's cortex with respect to how humans recognize and get around the world.

Emerging Tech

Researchers use brain-machine interface to create a sixth sense in rats

a rat up close and personal

In the medical field, most brain-machine interface research focuses on trying to replace lost sensory information, such as restoring a sense of touch to people with spinal cord injuries. However, a recent study has taken a different approach by using a brain-machine interface to augment existing sensory systems and create a "sixth sense" in rats.

"This constitutes an important step in the direction of ‘Cyber-Physical’ systems, which meld computers with the living brain," senior author Dr. Tim Lucas, Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Pennsylvania, told Digital Trends. He said the technology could be developed in the future to restore sensory experiences to people suffering from paralysis.

Space

Time spent in space affects connectivity of astronauts’ brains, new study shows

Astronaut in space

JAXA astronaut Aki Hoshide, ISS Expedition 32 flight engineer, taking a space selfie during extravehicular activity on September 5, 2012, with the Sun behind him. NASA

We already know that spending time in space has effects on the body, and recent evidence suggests it could have an effect on the mind as well. Now, a new study has examined how long-duration space flight affects connectivity in the brain.