In the field of neuroscience, brain mapping technology continues to advance, revealing the mysteries of our thinking. According to the definition defined by the Society for Brain Mapping and Therapy (SBMT) in 2013, brain mapping is a science that studies the structure and function of the brain and spinal cord through imaging, immunohistochemistry and other techniques. In 2024, a team of 287 researchers completed a complete brain mapping for Drosophila. This result was published in the journal Nature, marking another milestone in brain mapping technology.
Brain mapping can be regarded as a more advanced neuroimaging technology. The brain images generated not only reflect the structure, but also combine with behavioral data for analysis.
The core technology of brain mapping includes functional and structural neuroimaging. However, there is considerable controversy within the scientific community regarding various claims based on brain imaging. Many scientists point out that certain claims about "one part of the brain being responsible for" a certain function are inaccurate because brain functions are often accomplished by multiple parts working together. This means that most brain functions require more nuanced measurements to be properly described.
Different from early relatively low-resolution mapping technology, current brain mapping has entered an era of high precision. As researchers continue to develop more advanced imaging techniques, they are increasingly able to distinguish neural connections in the brain through a series of computer algorithms. These subtle measurements can reveal the true secrets of the brain's operation.
Since the late 1980s, with the advent of a variety of non-invasive scanning technologies, brain mapping has become increasingly professional in the scientific community. The Institute of Health and Medical Research has established a committee to explore how to integrate information from neuroscience. This process led to the formation of the Human Brain Project, which aims to explore the structure and function of healthy and diseased brains.
"The ultimate goal of brain mapping is to develop flexible computer brain atlases."
In 2022, Google's research team published a three-dimensional map of the human brain, providing a detailed view of neurons and their connections. These data provide the academic community with a more comprehensive understanding. In the same year, scientists also used new scanning methods to successfully complete a three-dimensional map of the monkey brain. These results were not just a stack of data, but provided a detailed understanding of neural networks.
"This brain map not only has scientific significance, but also provides new directions for future neuroscience research."
In the 21st century, scientists have discovered the wiring diagram of animal brains that changes over the life cycle, which is crucial to understanding neurological development. In 2022, targeted research was conducted on the brain development and regeneration of the American salamander to understand what biological mechanisms promote this fantasy-like ability.
Nowadays, brain mapping work continues to flourish. Historically famous tasks, such as Talairach Atlas, Harvard Whole Brain Atlas and MNI Template, have become part of researchers’ toolboxes, helping them form a database that can be used for clinical and experimental studies. Standardized framework for research.
These technological advances not only advance the understanding of the human brain, but also provide new hope for treating and helping patients with various neurological-related diseases. However, in the face of emerging technologies and results, we can't help but think, can we really fully understand this complex and mysterious organ?