Core Insights - Chinese scientists have made significant progress in brain mapping research, with 10 studies published in international journals, including "Cell" and "Neuron," showcasing advancements in understanding brain structure and function [1][2][3] Group 1: Research Achievements - The "Whole Brain Mesoscopic Neural Connectivity Atlas" project aims to create detailed brain maps of non-human primates and humans, addressing the complexity of mammalian brains, which contain nearly 100 billion neurons and over 100 trillion connections [2][3] - A team of over 300 researchers from more than 30 institutions has successfully completed studies that analyze brain cell diversity, connectivity patterns, and molecular mechanisms of brain diseases, enhancing China's international influence in this field [2][3][6] - The research includes the first high-resolution evolutionary atlas of 1.3 million brain cells from various species, revealing key gene evolution related to differences in brain cell types across species [3][12] Group 2: Technological Innovations - The development of specific genetic tools for primate brain research allows for precise delivery of functional proteins to targeted cells, potentially enabling targeted therapies for brain diseases [4][5][25] - A new collection of tools for specific labeling and observation of primate brain cells has been established, marking a significant advancement in understanding brain structure and diseases [4][25][30] Group 3: Collaborative Efforts - The establishment of the "International Primate Mesoscopic Brain Atlas Alliance" aims to enhance global collaboration in brain mapping research, with a focus on creating a shared database for brain atlas data [9][32] - The research integrates contributions from various international institutions, highlighting the collaborative nature of modern neuroscience research [9][32] Group 4: Future Directions - The goal is to complete the mesoscopic neural connectivity atlas for mice by 2025 and for macaques by 2035, indicating a long-term commitment to advancing brain mapping technologies [8][9] - Continued development of imaging and labeling technologies is essential for achieving high-quality brain maps, which are crucial for understanding complex brain functions [14][15]

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 Insights - A team led by Chinese researchers is attempting to create a high-resolution "brain atlas" at the single-cell level, a significant advancement in neuroscience [1][3] - The research has resulted in ten series of achievements in mesoscopic brain mapping, published in a special issue of the journal "Cell" [1][4] Group 1: Research Achievements - The research has successfully transitioned from rodent models to primate models, highlighting the complexity of primate brains compared to rodents [3][4] - One article published in "Cell" details the whole-brain projection map of single neurons in the prefrontal cortex of macaques, which is crucial for higher cognitive functions [4] - Another article focuses on the striatum, a brain region potentially linked to consciousness, revealing significant structural and cellular type differences between macaques and rodents [4] Group 2: Technological Innovations - The research is supported by advanced autonomous technologies, including cell type analysis and neural connectivity mapping, which are essential for understanding cellular changes in diseases [4] - The imaging and morphological reconstruction technologies enable high-resolution imaging of the entire brain and facilitate high-throughput, rapid data analysis [4] Group 3: Collaborative Efforts - The series of achievements involved over 300 contributors from both domestic and international backgrounds, showcasing the capability for global collaborative research [5] - The complexity and data volume of primate brain mapping necessitate ongoing global scientific cooperation to achieve higher goals in understanding the mesoscopic brain atlas [5]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses a groundbreaking study that presents a mouse brain stereotaxic topographic atlas with isotropic 1 μm resolution, which is expected to enhance multi-omics research at the single-cell level in neuroscience [3][6][8]. Group 1 - The research team, including academicians from Hainan University, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, and UCLA, published their findings in the journal Nature, detailing a 3D brain atlas for mice [3]. - The atlas, named STAM, provides a comprehensive dataset of 916 brain structures and allows for the generation of high-resolution images at any angle [6][8]. - The study utilizes continuous micro-optical sectioning imaging technology to create a dataset based on Nissl staining, achieving isotropic 1 μm resolution [6]. Group 2 - The STAM atlas is designed to support large-scale brain mapping projects by providing data analysis and visualization capabilities [8]. - It includes an informatics platform for visualizing and sharing atlas images, facilitating tasks such as brain slice registration and neuron circuit mapping [6]. - The atlas is compatible with widely used stereotaxic atlases, enabling cross-atlas navigation in both 2D and 3D spaces [6].

Group 1 - The book "Brain Supplement: Researching the Brain to Understand Oneself" addresses the complexities of the human brain, including how it operates and the mechanisms behind various brain diseases such as depression, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's [2][3] - The human brain weighs approximately 1300 grams and consists of 80 to 100 billion neurons, with a total connection length of up to 100,000 kilometers, making it the most complex "machine" in the world [3] - Advances in technology have significantly propelled brain science research, which is foundational to various fields including artificial intelligence, social sciences, and ethics, highlighting its importance to human health and societal issues [3][4] Group 2 - The book aims to explain the development of the human brain from birth through various life stages, while also discussing common brain diseases and recent advancements in brain science that improve health and quality of life [3][4] - Understanding the brain is crucial for better self-awareness and comprehension of others, which can lead to greater understanding, confidence, and hope for the future [4]