Mouse Brain Connectivity Project

Researchers have proposed that a connectivity map of a mouse's brain could be carried out in the next 5 years for a cost of 20 million dollars. You can read the technical outline paper here (pdf). This would basically be an extremely detailed wiring map of all the connections in the brain (like the axons of neurons). Eventually this research could also lead to more detailed human brain maps as well. More detailed maps could go a long way in furthering brain research.

The abstract is given below.

In this era of complete genomes, our knowledge of neuroanatomical circuitry remains surprisingly sparse. Such knowledge is however critical both for basic and clinical research into brain function. Here we advocate for a concerted effort to fill this gap, through systematic, experimental mapping of neural circuits at a mesoscopic scale of resolution suitable for comprehensive, brain-wide coverage, using injections of tracers or viral vectors. We detail the scientific and medical rationale and briefly review existing knowledge and experimental techniques. We define a set of desiderata, including brain-wide coverage; validated and extensible experimental techniques suitable for standardization and automation; centralized, open access data repository; compatibility with existing resources, and tractability with current informatics technology. We discuss a hypothetical but tractable plan for mouse, additional efforts for the macaque, and technique development for human. We estimate that the mouse connectivity project could be completed within five years with a comparatively modest budget.