Scientific researchers from MIT and the University of Vienna created a system that allows you to monitor the neural activity of the brain in living beings. New technology that can create three-dimensional image of the brain and upgrade it with millisecond delay is designed to help scientists better understand how the totality of neuronal processes is transformed into sensitive information and is responsible for generating behavior.
The team used a new system for multiple scans and monitor activity of each neuron in the nematode (roundworm), as well as whole brain for juvenile zebrafish. New technology has allowed to monitor the activity of the nervous system to hitherto unprecedented level of depth of investigation.
"Observation of the activity of only one neuron in the brain is not able to answer the question of how it processes information. To solve this problem you need to monitor the whole complex of some neurons. And in order to understand, is responsible for what one or the other activity, you need to monitor another type of neurons, "- says Ed Boyden, one of the leaders of the research team and assistant professor of bioengineering and cognitive studies at MIT.
"In short, if you want to better understand the transformation of information all the way to the end of the feeling of action, then you need to see the work of the whole brain as a whole."
New research method described on May 18 in the journal Nature Methods, may also help neuroscientists learn more about the biological basis of various brain disorders.
"Frankly speaking, we know little about brain disorders and a specific set of various cells involved in their development," - says Boyden.
"The possibility of a deeper and more intuitive research activity of the nervous system will help us identify those cells or networks that are involved in the development of these disorders. Ultimately this could lead to new and more effective ideas for creating treatment of these disorders. "
The team developed a method of Boyden "brain mapping" thanks to the support of researchers from the laboratory Alipasha Vaziri, owned by the University of Vienna, as well as through cooperation with the Vienna Research Institute of Molecular Pathology