Group 1 - The core achievement of the research is the development of a three-dimensional reconstruction of 2,231 projection neurons in the macaque prefrontal cortex, revealing a "streamlined and efficient" connectivity pattern akin to a precise circuit for modular information processing [1] - The research team from the Chinese Academy of Sciences has developed an imaging system capable of completing whole-body subcellular resolution imaging of adult mice in 40 hours, clearly presenting the projection pathways of peripheral nerve fibers [1] - A new cell-type-specific targeting tool for primate brain research has been developed, overcoming transgenic limitations and marking a new stage in precise cell type analysis in macaque brains [1] Group 2 - The "Whole Brain Mesoscopic Neural Connectivity Atlas" project aims to create a comprehensive research system from circuit analysis to disease decoding, with a focus on mapping the mesoscopic brain atlas of non-human primates [2] - An international primate brain atlas research alliance is being established to integrate multinational technological resources and create a shared database, ultimately aiming to "understand, simulate, and protect the brain" [2] - The research team is continuously optimizing surgical techniques for macaque brain injections, which require precise navigation to avoid blood vessels and functional areas, highlighting the complexity and dedication involved in the procedures [2] Group 3 - The Chinese Brain Project aims to conduct large-scale foundational research while also addressing major societal needs through the diagnosis and treatment of brain diseases, as well as developing brain-machine interfaces and brain-inspired artificial intelligence [3] - The recent breakthroughs in brain mapping technology are expected to clarify brain structures and inspire research in brain-like intelligence [4] - A global open-access brain atlas database has been established, integrating cross-species cell atlases, neural connectivity maps, and multimodal dynamic data, which will support future understanding of human brain functioning and the development of next-generation brain-inspired AI [4]

Core Viewpoint - Recent collaborative achievements by Chinese scientists have created a "high-definition map" of the brain, marking significant progress in the "whole brain mesoscopic neural connectivity map" scientific initiative, which aims to understand brain structure and function across various species, including primates and humans [1][5][6]. Group 1: Scientific Achievements - A series of ten research papers were published in prestigious journals, showcasing the collaborative efforts of over 300 researchers from more than 30 institutions, both domestic and international [1][6]. - The research covers key species including reptiles, birds, rodents, non-human primates, and humans, integrating multimodal data such as transcriptomics and connectomics [9]. - The results aim to establish a research framework that transitions from structural analysis to functional understanding of the brain, providing new perspectives and methodologies for brain research [9]. Group 2: Research Goals and Timeline - The initiative aims to complete the mesoscopic neural connectivity map for mice by 2025 and for macaques by 2035, focusing on non-human primates and human brain mapping [6][7]. - An international alliance for mesoscopic brain mapping research is being formed, with participation from over 20 countries and nearly 100 scientists, emphasizing the importance of global collaboration [7][8]. Group 3: Technical Challenges and Innovations - The research involves identifying various cell types and their connections, requiring high-resolution imaging at the micrometer level to understand the network structure of the brain [8][11]. - New technologies have been developed to enhance the tracking of specific cell types and their connections, marking a significant advancement in primate brain science [9][10]. - The complexity of tracking individual neurons necessitates extensive collaboration and time investment, highlighting the challenges faced in this field [10][11].

Core Insights - A significant advancement in mesoscopic brain mapping has been achieved by a Chinese research team, with ten important results published in a special collection by Cell Press [1][3] - The Chinese Brain Project, initiated in 2021, aims to enhance foundational research and develop applications for brain disease diagnosis and treatment, as well as brain-machine interfaces and brain-like artificial intelligence [3][4] Research Achievements - The research team has successfully mapped the full brain projection atlas of non-human primate prefrontal cortex neurons, revealing intricate connection patterns that provide a theoretical basis for understanding complex cognitive functions in primates [5] - A spatial transcriptome atlas of the hippocampus has been created, detailing single-cell resolution for both normal individuals and Alzheimer's disease patients, marking a significant milestone in understanding brain diseases [5] International Collaboration - An international alliance for mesoscopic primate brain mapping is set to be established in September, involving researchers from over a dozen countries to further advance brain mapping studies [5]