First Micro-structure Atlas of Human Brain

First Micro-structure Atlas of Human Brain:


A University College of London news release has announced the completion of the first ever Micro-structure Atlas of the human brain by a consortium of EU organizations known as the CONNECT Project. The release notes that "the project’s final results have the potential to change the face of neuroscience and medicine over the coming decade." The brain atlas combines 3D images from MRI brain scans of 100 volunteers. Along the way, the CONNECT project developed new MRI methods to give unprecedented detail and improved accuracy. From the CONNECT project's final report:

"This unprecedented insight into white matter will open up new realms of possibilities in terms of both diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, as well as providing fundamental new insights to the connectivity and workings of the brain. By being able to probe white matter to this new level of detail, and combined with detailed assessment of brain function, we will obtain

an unparalleled holistic view of the brain."

For a much more in-depth description along with graphics and other data, see the CONNECT project's Executive Summary (PDF format). The proliferation of new brain mapping projects in recent years gives the feel of the early days of the Human Genome project and may well prove to have an equally large impact on all fields science including AI and robotics. See also our recent coverage of the Brain Architecture Project, which completed a 500 Tera-byte whole-brain wiring diagram. Unlike the Brain Architecture Project, the CONNECT Project is mapping in-vivo, or living brains.

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