A team led by researchers from the Chinese mainland has unveiled a landmark primate brain atlas, offering the most comprehensive whole-brain connectivity map of the macaque pulvinar to date. This achievement stems from ten pioneering studies on mesoscale brain mapping, merging advanced imaging techniques, spatial transcriptomics and artificial intelligence.
By integrating high-resolution scans with gene-expression profiles, the atlas charts neural pathways in unprecedented detail. Researchers collaborated across continents, pooling data that traces connections from common reptiles up to humans, bridging gaps in our understanding of complex neural networks. This multilayered approach not only reveals how the pulvinar, a deep brain region crucial for sensory integration, operates in primates but also lays groundwork for next-generation AI models inspired by biological architectures.
Beyond neuroscience, the atlas has real-world implications: it could accelerate therapies for neurological disorders, refine brain-machine interfaces and inform ethical debates on AI. For young global citizens and tech enthusiasts, this is a prime example of how international collaboration and cutting-edge tech drive scientific breakthroughs worldwide.
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China unveils landmark primate brain atlas, mapping macaque pulvinar
cgtn.com
