The world's first computerized brain map is expected to make breakthroughs possible in a range of medical conditions after it's unveiling .
A map is virtually a tool that unravels a lot about the nitty-gritty details of the location of a particular place. Imagine having a brain map on you, although for most of us it may just draw a few awestruck looks, but, ask scientists at The Allen institute for Brain Science. Seattle, Washington.
In what could deservingly be termed as one phenomenal, ground-breaking research, scientists have figured out a way to study the functions and working of a human brain. Termed as the Human Brain Atlas, this research piece, if accurate, can go a long way in detection and subsequent prevention of brain-related illnesses.
Researchers said, "The map could help them find new clues to conditions rooted in the brain, such as Alzheimer’s disease, autism and mental-health disorders."
They spent four years piecing together minute details from brain tissue, including millions of genes. The brains were chopped up into sections to find the 25,000 genes present in the human genome, reports the Wall Street journal.
Each detail was loaded into a computer to provide exact directions from one point of the brain to another, according to the Daily Mail.
The project has already been used by some 4,000 brain scientists who are using the map to probe brains.
"Until now, a definitive map of the human brain at this level of detail simply hasn't existed," said Allan jones from the Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, US.
"For the first time, we have generated a comprehensive map of the brain that includes the underlying biochemistry," added Allan.
Researches have for years struggled to link symptoms of the diseases to the biochemistry of genes that might be responsible for them. They have therefore been unable to get full picture of the brain in order to tackle debilitating diseases.
They picked two adult male brains and set about working on the information in the $50 million project.
Scientists catalogued 1,000 "landmarks" in each of the two brains and then linked those tissues to thousands of genes they work in conjunction with to neural development and function.
The process of dishing out maps of the brain to aid further research is by no means a child’s play. For once, the work area resembles a butcher’s shop. Why you ask? Well, the very first step towards achieving the goal is slicing off the brain into thin pieces. Using a sterilized knife, the scientist, oblivious to the object under the searing end of his knife; chops of the brain into similar looking slices. These slices are then photographed, and very hurriedly placed in the freezer. These photographs aid in the accurate study of specific genes and individual neurons, as also give them a clear idea as to which gene goes in the brain.
The current development spells massive development on the initial research sources. The earlier specimens gave scientists a very crude picture of the outline of a brain, let alone aiding them to differentiate those billions of genes that reside in it.
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