规模最大动物大脑模拟系统构建

Core Insights - The article discusses a groundbreaking achievement by American scientists who have created the largest and most detailed animal brain simulation system to date, replicating the structure and function of the mouse cerebral cortex [1][2] - This simulation includes nearly 10 million neurons, 26 billion synapses, and 86 interconnected brain regions, marking a significant advancement in understanding brain mechanisms and moving towards brain construction [1] Group 1: Simulation Details - The simulation was made possible by the supercomputer "Fugaku," which can perform quintillion calculations per second, enabling the processing of vast amounts of data and complex simulations [1] - The project was led by the Allen Institute for Brain Science in collaboration with Japanese institutions, utilizing real neurobiological data from the Allen Cell Types Database and the Allen Connectivity Atlas to create an accurate biological foundation for the virtual brain [1] Group 2: Research Applications - The specialized neuron simulator "Neulite" translates mathematical equations into biologically realistic neuron behaviors, allowing virtual neurons to generate electrical impulses, transmit signals, and form dynamic networks [2] - This model enables scientists to explore brain mechanisms in unprecedented ways, simulating neurological diseases like Alzheimer's and epilepsy, tracking how lesions spread in neural networks, and studying the formation of brain waves and the neural basis of attention [2] Group 3: Future Directions - The achievement provides a new tool for understanding the neural basis of cognition and consciousness, potentially revealing early changes in brain diseases before symptoms appear and accelerating drug development processes [2] - Despite this significant progress, the team acknowledges that it is only the first step towards full brain simulation, with the real challenge being to accurately replicate the complexity of biological physics for greater scientific value [2]