A team of Chinese researchers has achieved a significant breakthrough by creating a comprehensive network map of the macaque brain, a development poised to enhance our understanding of the human brain’s organizational patterns.
The scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Automation meticulously divided the macaque brain into 304 distinct regions. They quantitatively depicted the anatomical and functional connectivity patterns of each region, providing unprecedented insights into how different parts of the brain communicate.
“The macaque brain shares remarkable similarities with the human brain in genetics, physiology, and structure,” said Jiang Tianzi, a researcher at the institute. “This makes macaques an ideal model for studying human cognitive functions and simulating brain diseases.”
The newly created brain map offers a panoramic view of the spatial organization of the macaque brain. It serves as a valuable resource that can be translated to study the human brain, aiding in fields such as translational medicine, cross-species comparison, and digital brain modeling.
Understanding the complex networks within the brain is crucial, as human behavior is driven by these functional networks—collections of brain regions that communicate through intricate connections. This research not only advances our knowledge of brain function but also opens new avenues for exploring treatments for neurological disorders.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
