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    Home > Active Ingredient News > Study of Nervous System > Brain partitioning is not the key to function! Science cover 4 articles in a row: wisdom is born from the inter-regional connection of the brain

    Brain partitioning is not the key to function! Science cover 4 articles in a row: wisdom is born from the inter-regional connection of the brain

    • Last Update: 2022-11-15
    • Source: Internet
    • Author: User
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    Alex James from the Recessed Temple
    Qubit | Official number QbitAI

    It's time to rediscover how our brains work!

    The latest issue of Science, a special issue, publishes 4 papers in a row, pointing to the same core point:

    The key to the various functions of the brain is not that each brain region independently performs specific functions, but that it is connected and communicates
    between different regions.

    This view basically overturns a widely held narrative:

    People who are good at left-brain thinking have stronger mathematical and logical skills; People with a developed right brain are more creative
    .

    In this issue, Science Senior Editor Dr.
    Peter Stern emphasized the importance of brain connectivity:

    Without a smoothly functioning connection, the brain is nothing more than a bunch of neurons
    .

    He also summed up the golden phrase: "No neuroan is an island"
    .

    So, what do these 4 articles say?

    Look
    down.

    "Connection" is the key to brain function Part 1: "Connection" is the core of the brain

    The first, titled The emergent properties of the connected brain, presents the core keyword of the entire special issue, connection
    .

    Two neuroscience researchers from Bordeaux, France, argue:

    The connection of the brain is not only the signaling between various brain regions, but also the emergence of behavior and cognition, but also the interaction
    between cortical regions.

    Behind it is a sophisticated network that connects the "local" and "remote" areas into a whole
    .

    Researchers describe this connection and collaboration as creating a whole network by connecting many regions of the brain with brain circuits, and compiling a symphony
    in the brain.

    In the past, we assumed that the brain works in partitions, but researchers believe that it will be impossible to achieve multiple regions working together, realize the cognition of complex things, and it is more difficult to produce intelligence
    .

    In neuroscience, there is a growing consensus that a function is achieved, from the interaction and collaboration
    between various regions.

    Taking chat as an example, when we communicate, we need to quickly understand the meaning of the context and at the same time consider the emotional intentions of the other party, which cannot be solved
    in a modular way.

    Conversely, if a related disease in the brain leads to a loss of connection, it will lead to the disintegration
    of cognitive function.
    For example, the loss of connection to the language network causes a language barrier
    .

    It is also worth noting that the configuration of connections in the brain is not immutable
    .

    Environment and learning behavior induce plasticity mechanisms that occur
    over weeks, months, years, or decades.

    Part 2: "Scale" is very important

    If the first review sets the tone of "brain connection", then the second article further proposes to explore
    the dimension of research and thinking.

    It also corresponds to it, Scale matters: The nested human connectome
    .

    In this article, the researchers propose a term, connectome, to describe
    neurons and brain regions.

    Speaking of the need to introduce the concept, they believe that it is fundamental
    to understanding brain dynamics and the production of related functions.

    The authors add that the scale ranges from the macroscopic to the cellular and even molecular level
    .
    Similar ideas have been applied
    in previous studies of dysfunction.
    This time, scientists have referred to the ways and ideas
    of predecessors.

    In practice, the review also demonstrated the application of diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI), fiber beam imaging (tractography) and other techniques in brain connectivity research, and they also used machine learning and simulation methods to predict the results of the
    lack of experimental data.

    △ Diffusion MRI and fiber beam imaging
    Part III: Studying the Connection Mechanism from a Pathological Perspective

    Researchers from the Department of Neuroscience at Stanford University discussed the function and disorders of brain circuits, and shared the research progress
    of brain dysfunction from the pathological and therapeutic levels.

    They constructed a model of brain dynamics to understand the mechanisms of brain-wide circuits in neurological diseases and to predict the outcome of
    therapeutic interventions.

    For implementation, the researchers used optogenetic functional magnetic resonance imaging (ofMRI) combined with computational modeling
    .

    ofMRI is a new technology that combines the high spatial resolution of high-field magnetic resonance imaging with the high precision of optogenetic stimulation to investigate the precise functional connections
    of neural circuits throughout the brain.

    Computational modeling of the resulting MRI signal allows quantitative characterization of the specificity of cell types and the specific manifestation
    of macroscopic functions on single cells at different regional levels.

    The researchers believe that these results could pave the way
    for the treatment of Parkinson's disease and the development of systems engineering methods to restore brain function in the future.

    Part 4: Summarize how to draw a connection diagram

    This review summarizes "How to map neural connections to rodent brains" and atlas-based data analysis schemes, and explores future directions
    in this field.

    The authors are from the University of
    Oslo, Norway's top university.

    They point out that there are several techniques for mapping neural connections, of which the "3D digital brain atlas" is the most effective
    for assisting researchers in exploring and understanding the organization and function of the brain.

    Researchers can use tools to register different types of data into atlases, and exercise computers to perform subsequent automatic analysis of large data sets, greatly accelerating the integration work
    .

    Finally, to quote one of the papers, Stephanie Forkel, a neuroscientist at Radeburg University, to summarize what it means to understand brain function from a "connection" perspective:

    One of the obvious flaws of the modular brain in the classical view is that it does not explain the differences between people
    .

    Using the new network approach, scientists can model the brains of different individuals, explore the personalities of different human brains, and help develop more effective clinical treatment options
    .

    Reference links:
    [1] _istranslated="1">[2] new-view-on-the-brain-its-all-in-the-connections
    [3]https://mp.
    weixin.
    qq.
    com/s/3rO10ilXlMsNtexiayziNw

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