Mapping the Brain


Glasser MF, Coalson TS, Robinson EC, Hacker CD, Harwell J, Yacoub E, Ugurbil K, Andersson J, Beckmann CF, Jenkinson M, Smith SM, Van Essen DC. A multi-modal parcellation of human cerebral cortex. Nature. 2016 Jul 20. doi: 10.1038/nature18933. [Epub ahead of print]

Understanding the amazingly complex human cerebral cortex requires a map (or parcellation) of its major subdivisions, known as cortical areas. Making an accurate areal map has been a century-old objective in neuroscience. Using multi-modal magnetic resonance images from the Human Connectome Project (HCP) and an objective semi-automated neuroanatomical approach, we delineated 180 areas per hemisphere bounded by sharp changes in cortical architecture, function, connectivity, and/or topography in a precisely aligned group average of 210 healthy young adults. We characterized 97 new areas and 83 areas previously reported using post-mortem microscopy or other specialized study-specific approaches. To enable automated delineation and identification of these areas in new HCP subjects and in future studies, we trained a machine-learning classifier to recognize the multi-modal 'fingerprint' of each cortical area. This classifier detected the presence of 96.6% of the cortical areas in new subjects, replicated the group parcellation, and could correctly locate areas in individuals with atypical parcellations. The freely available parcellation and classifier will enable substantially improved neuroanatomical precision for studies of the structural and functional organization of human cerebral cortex and its variation across individuals and in development, aging, and disease.

Think of a political map (These are designed to show governmental boundaries of countries, states, and counties, the location of major cities, and they usually include significant bodies of water. Differing colours are often used to help the user differentiate between nations). it shows us where we are but it gives us borders between counties and the countries which may give an impression how we may be different from or similar to our neighbours. This study made use of the Human Connectome project which is plotting out how the nerves are interconnected.

                       210p = parcellation group and 210v= 210 in a validation group


In this study they have down the same thing with the brain. Over 440 young adults were scanned and they have divided the cortex (outside of the brain) into 180 different counties (which have been called parcels like plots of land) in each half of the brain. Most previous parcellations were based on only one neurobiological property (such as architecture, function, connectivity or topography). In this study the finger print of each parcel was made (e.g. majority didn’t vote brexit; kilt not national costume; famous for spa water; in gods own country, so with just 4 categories = Harrogate) and in this study information included measurements of size; brain function; connectivity between regions; spacial organization of cells in brain tissue; and levels of myelin and used these to create borders. In the study this approach confirmed the existence of 83 previously reported brain areas but also found 97 new areas. This map was then tested in 210 different people and the map was found to be accurate (ordinance survey standardJ) but the size of the parcel may vary between different people. This was validated in another 210 people. However this is just the beginning as the map doesn’t yet include the biochemical underpinnings of the brain. 

Just as ProfGs tube map started with a few stations there will be more to come. By parcelling these areas it will help us to make structure to function relationships in even finer detail just as we map the hippocampus to memory and the cerebellum to movement. This may help us to delineate problems associated with MS where lesions in one area or pathway of the brain may link to different signs and symptoms.

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