To create the most complete map of brain neurons – BBC

Even the most simple network of neurons in the brain are made up of millions of compounds, and the study of these huge networks is critical to understanding how the brain works. Scientists have long been trying to study microscopic processes behind those or other reactions of the brain to external pathogens

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In the last issue of the journal Nature an article whose authors have taken an important step toward understanding neural networks work. An international team of scientists conducted the most comprehensive study to date network of neurons of the cerebral cortex, which is an active external signal-agents. As a result, several important features of neural network are organized detected. In fact,

scientists have created the world’s first map of neurons in the brain, which combined information about the electrical brain activity and the scheme of the physical connection of neurons to each other.

Until now, for decades scientists have studied these areas individually, without being able to link them to each other.

So, recently was published research , which the authors using the method of magnetic resonance imaging maps of neural connections in the human brain and figure out how lifestyle affects the amount of these bonds. However, only the physical nature of neural connections has been reflected in this work.

In the current work the researchers examined the mouse visual cortex of the brain. First, they determined which neurons respond to certain visual stimuli, such as vertical or horizontal lines on the screen. Next, detailed images of brain slices were obtained from millions of neurons and synapses interest – contacts between neurons – or receiving another signal type neuronal cells. Later on these flat images of three-dimensional map of the brain neural networks has been built

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According to the researchers, their study is unique in the fact that in their work they combined methods of optical tomography and electron microscopy. Until today, macroscopic methods for studying brain activity and microscopic methods for studying neurons and their synapses, which have dimensions on the order of nanometers, were not linked. Meanwhile, it is important to understand exactly what the microscopic mechanisms behind the processes of brain activity

«We got microscopic data on an unprecedented scale and detail, -. Says one of the authors, R. Clay Reid of the Institute of Sciences of the brain Allen . (US)

– First, we determined what is the function of a particular neuron and then watched as it connects with similar neurons and neurons of different type »

«This study was the culmination of a research program, which started almost ten years ago – adds Clay Reid. – Brain networks are too large and complex to understand in parts, so we used high throughput methods to collect massive amounts of data and brain activity of neurons’ interconnections

In analyzing the data, the researchers came to the following conclusions.. First, they support the hypothesis that neurons responsible for one activity, often associated with each other than neurons perform different functions. Second, the connections between neurones so firmly, despite the fact that they are mixed with many other neurons that perform quite different functions

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«We have found the first evidence of the modular architecture of the network of neurons of the cerebral cortex and determined the structural basis of the functional connections between neurons,

– says Wei-Zhong Li, the lead author of the work. – The methods we used allowed us to define the principles of organization of neural networks

Despite the fact that this study is a significant point of our work is just beginning.. Now we have the tools to create more accurate computer model of the brain, knowing the relationship between neuronal circuits connections and grid computing. ” “It’s like a symphony orchestra, musicians who sit in random order – Clay Reid adds. – If you will only hear the musicians who sit next to you, this will not make any sense. But if you hear of all, you will understand the music – she even becomes easier »

The authors are confident that their achievement will be of great help to all researchers who are engaged in research of the brain and the creation of artificial neural networks, -. Department of Science “Gazety.Ru” has told on how supercomputer allowed scientists to simulate the work of thousands of neurons. However, in order to successfully simulate the brain, it is necessary to better understand how neural networks work in real living organisms.