Health & Medicine, UK (Commonwealth Union) – A global team of researchers has successfully conducted a study on macaque brains, resulting in the mapping of neurotransmitter receptors. This groundbreaking achievement has shed light on the potential role of these receptors in distinguishing internal thoughts and emotions from those influenced by external factors.
The researchers have compiled a comprehensive dataset from their findings, which has been made publicly accessible. This dataset serves as a crucial link between different levels of neuroscience, encompassing both microscopic and whole-brain perspectives.
Sean Froudist-Walsh, the lead author from the Department of Computer Science at the University of Bristol, elaborated on the significance of their research. He used an analogy to describe the brain as a city, emphasizing that while previous brain studies have primarily focused on understanding its “roads,” their study has delved into the intricate workings of the “traffic lights” represented by neurotransmitter receptors. These receptors play a vital role in regulating the flow of information within the brain.
He further indicated that they found patterns in the way these ‘traffic lights’ are put in order that assist them in understanding its function in perception, memory, as well as emotion.
“We’ve discovered patterns in how these ‘traffic lights’ are arranged that help us understand their function in perception, memory, and emotion.”
“It’s like finding the key to a city’s traffic flow, and it opens up exciting possibilities for understanding how the normal brain works.”
“Potentially in the future, other researchers may use these maps to target particular brain networks and functions with new medicines.”
“Our study aimed to create the most detailed map yet of these ‘traffic lights’.”
The researchers utilized a method known as in-vitro receptor autoradiography to map the density of receptors from 6 different neurotransmitter systems in more than 100 brain regions.
In order to extract meaningful patterns from the extensive dataset, the researchers employed statistical methods and advanced neuroimaging techniques, complemented by their expert understanding of brain anatomy. This integrated approach enabled them to unveil the intricate connections between receptor patterns, brain connectivity, as well as anatomical structures.
By gaining insights into the distribution of receptors throughout the brain, it is anticipated that future studies will be able to establish stronger links between brain activity, behavior, and the effects of drugs.
Furthermore, as receptors serve as targets for medications, this research holds the potential to guide the development of innovative treatments that specifically target distinct brain functions. By understanding the receptor landscape in greater detail, scientists can explore new avenues for therapeutic interventions.
Dr Froudist-Walsh further indicated that they hope to move to the next step by targeting the utilization of this dataset for the formation of computational models of the brain.
He further indicated that these neural network models, inspired by the workings of the brain, have the potential to enhance our understanding of various aspects of cognition, including perception and memory. Additionally, they can provide insights into the differences observed in individuals with conditions such as schizophrenia or those under the influence of substances like ‘magic mushrooms’.
“We also plan to better integrate findings across species—linking detailed circuit-level neuroscience often conducted in rodents, to large-scale brain activity seen in humans.”
Formation of openly-accessible maps of receptor expression over the cortex taking in neuroimaging data can hasten translation across species, according to researchers.
Nicola Palomero-Gallagher, HBP researcher at the Forschungszentrum Jülich who is also senior author of the paper indicated that the research findings and associated models are being made openly accessible to the neuroscientific community through the Human Brain Project’s EBRAINS infrastructure. This availability enables other computational neuroscientists with the goal of developing biologically informed models to utilize and build upon this valuable resource. The International team of scientists are from University of Bristol, New York University, Human Brain Project, Research Center Julich, University of Dusseldorf, Child Mind Institute together with Universite Paris Cite.
