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rom virtual to real: How can brain imaging help the future of mental health
In today's technological age, the development of brain imaging technology has aroused widespread concern about mental health. These technologies not only help us gain a deeper understanding of the structure and function of the brain, but also explore new possibilities for improving mental health. According to the 2013 definition of the Society for Brain Imaging and Therapy (SBMT), brain imaging is a scientific field that studies the anatomy and function of the brain and spinal cord, involving a variety of neuroscience techniques.
Brain imaging technologies, which range in application from functional to structural neuroimaging, continue to evolve in terms of image acquisition, representation, analysis, and interpretation techniques.
Brain imaging technology has made tremendous progress in the past few decades. For example, in 2021, researchers created the first complete 3D map of a monkey brain, and in 2024, 287 researchers collaborated to complete a brain connection map of an adult fruit fly, marking the first complete map of a complex brain. The birth of. The primary data for these research results was obtained using electron microscopy technology, with the help of artificial intelligence and citizen scientists to correct the errors of artificial intelligence.
The goal of brain mapping is to reveal the interconnections between neurons. Through these techniques, scientists can gain deep insights into how the brain forms new connections and hope to be able to create digital twin versions of each, tracking how the neuronal wiring diagram is affected by external signals.
Improving brain imaging is not limited to basic structural measurements but has applications in understanding abnormalities in functions as diverse as memory, learning, and drug action.
It's not all sunshine and rosy clouds for the development of brain imaging, however. Many scientists are critical of some brain-imaging-based findings in academic journals and the media, such as claims that a particular brain area is responsible for a particular emotion or memory. These claims are often based on data that is too low in resolution, and many functions involve multiple brain regions, which can lead to misleading conclusions that fail to follow the facts.
Some brain-mapping techniques are used commercially for lie detection or medical diagnosis, but their scientific validity remains controversial. There is no conclusive evidence to support whether the applications in these fields can truly provide a scientific basis.
The history of brain imaging dates back to the 1980s, when the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences began investigating the value of incorporating neuroscience information. Since then, as technology has advanced, research now covers not only health and disease of the human brain, but has also expanded to understanding the mechanisms of traumatic brain injury.
The Human Brain Project and the establishment of the International Brain Mapping Consortium have promoted the use of brain maps in clinical and research applications.
As their applications expand, many existing brain mapping tools, such as the Talairach Atlas and the Harvard Whole Brain Atlas, have become research standards. The development of these tools has allowed scientists to more precisely label and analyze changes in brain structure.
In visual neuroscience, a functional connectome dataset containing three higher-level visual areas was released in 2021, providing key data for observing neuronal activity in mice while watching natural movies and parametric stimulation. In research on brain regeneration, in 2022 scientists revealed new insights into brain development and regeneration in a species that is not prone to regeneration: the American salamander.
Ultimately, as brain imaging technology improves, the future of mental health treatments holds promise. These technologies enable us to diagnose and understand different mental illnesses more accurately and provide more targeted treatments for patients. The integration of various data not only improves the accuracy of medical treatment, but also provides more personalized care for patients.
Can advances in technology and medicine truly unlock the secrets of our mental health and lead us to a healthier future?
