bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory),
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Oct. 3, 2024
The
structure
of
neural
networks
provides
the
stage
on
which
their
activity
unfolds.
Models
cerebral
cortex
linking
connectivity
to
dynamics
have
primarily
relied
probabilistic
estimates
derived
from
paired
electrophysiological
recordings
or
single-neuron
morphologies
obtained
by
light
microscopy
(LM)
studies.
Only
recently
electron
(EM)
data
sets
been
processed
and
made
available
for
volumes
cubic
millimeter
scale,
exposing
actual
neurons.
Here,
we
construct
a
population-based,
layer-resolved
map
EM
data,
taking
into
account
spatial
scale
local
cortical
connectivity.
We
compare
with
based
an
established
LM
set.
Simulating
spiking
constrained
microcircuit
architectures
shows
that
both
models
allow
biologically
plausible
ongoing
when
synaptic
currents
caused
neurons
outside
network
model
are
specifically
adjusted
every
population.
However,
differentially
varying
external
current
onto
excitatory
inhibitory
populations
reveals
only
EM-based
robustly
exhibits
dynamics.
Our
work
confirms
long-standing
hypothesis
preference
targets,
not
present
in
LM-based
model,
promotes
balanced
microcircuits.
Nature,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
640(8058), P. 448 - 458
Published: April 9, 2025
Mammalian
cortex
features
a
vast
diversity
of
neuronal
cell
types,
each
with
characteristic
anatomical,
molecular
and
functional
properties1.
Synaptic
connectivity
shapes
how
type
participates
in
the
cortical
circuit,
but
mapping
rules
at
resolution
distinct
types
remains
difficult.
Here
we
used
millimetre-scale
volumetric
electron
microscopy2
to
investigate
all
inhibitory
neurons
across
densely
segmented
population
1,352
cells
spanning
layers
mouse
visual
cortex,
producing
wiring
diagram
inhibition
more
than
70,000
synapses.
Inspired
by
classical
neuroanatomy,
classified
based
on
targeting
dendritic
compartments
developed
an
excitatory
neuron
classification
reconstructions
whole-cell
maps
synaptic
input.
Single-cell
showed
class
disinhibitory
specialist
that
targets
basket
cells.
Analysis
onto
found
widespread
specificity,
many
interneurons
exhibiting
differential
spatially
intermingled
subpopulations.
Inhibitory
was
organized
into
'motif
groups',
diverse
sets
collectively
target
both
perisomatic
same
targets.
Collectively,
our
analysis
identified
new
organizing
principles
for
will
serve
as
foundation
linking
contemporary
multimodal
atlases
diagram.
Nature,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
640(8058), P. 478 - 486
Published: April 9, 2025
Abstract
Mammalian
neocortex
contains
a
highly
diverse
set
of
cell
types.
These
types
have
been
mapped
systematically
using
variety
molecular,
electrophysiological
and
morphological
approaches
1–4
.
Each
modality
offers
new
perspectives
on
the
variation
biological
processes
underlying
cell-type
specialization.
Cellular-scale
electron
microscopy
provides
dense
ultrastructural
examination
an
unbiased
perspective
subcellular
organization
brain
cells,
including
their
synaptic
connectivity
nanometre-scale
morphology.
In
data
that
contain
tens
thousands
neurons,
most
which
incomplete
reconstructions,
identifying
becomes
clear
challenge
for
analysis
5
Here,
to
address
this
challenge,
we
present
systematic
survey
somatic
region
all
cells
in
cubic
millimetre
cortex
quantitative
features
obtained
from
microscopy.
This
demonstrates
perisomatic
is
sufficient
identify
types,
defined
primarily
basis
patterns.
We
then
describe
how
classification
facilitates
cell-type-specific
characterization
locating
with
rare
patterns
dataset.
Nature,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
640(8058), P. 459 - 469
Published: April 9, 2025
Abstract
Understanding
the
relationship
between
circuit
connectivity
and
function
is
crucial
for
uncovering
how
brain
computes.
In
mouse
primary
visual
cortex,
excitatory
neurons
with
similar
response
properties
are
more
likely
to
be
synaptically
connected
1–8
;
however,
broader
rules
remain
unknown.
Here
we
leverage
millimetre-scale
MICrONS
dataset
analyse
synaptic
functional
of
across
cortical
layers
areas.
Our
results
reveal
that
preferentially
within
areas—including
feedback
connections—supporting
universality
‘like-to-like’
hierarchy.
Using
a
validated
digital
twin
model,
separated
neuronal
tuning
into
feature
(what
respond
to)
spatial
(receptive
field
location)
components.
We
found
only
component
predicts
fine-scale
connections
beyond
what
could
explained
by
proximity
axons
dendrites.
also
discovered
higher-order
rule
whereby
postsynaptic
neuron
cohorts
downstream
presynaptic
cells
show
greater
similarity
than
predicted
pairwise
like-to-like
rule.
Recurrent
neural
networks
trained
on
simple
classification
task
develop
patterns
mirror
both
rules,
magnitudes
those
in
data.
Ablation
studies
these
recurrent
disrupting
impairs
performance
random
connections.
These
findings
suggest
principles
may
have
role
sensory
processing
learning,
highlighting
shared
biological
artificial
systems.
Nature,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
640(8058), P. 497 - 505
Published: April 9, 2025
Neural
circuit
function
is
shaped
both
by
the
cell
types
that
comprise
and
connections
between
them1.
have
previously
been
defined
morphology2,3,
electrophysiology4,
transcriptomic
expression5,6,
connectivity7-9
or
a
combination
of
such
modalities10-12.
The
Patch-seq
technique
enables
characterization
morphology,
electrophysiology
properties
from
individual
cells13-15.
These
were
integrated
to
define
28
inhibitory,
morpho-electric-transcriptomic
(MET)
in
mouse
visual
cortex16,
which
do
not
include
synaptic
connectivity.
Conversely,
large-scale
electron
microscopy
(EM)
morphological
reconstruction
near-complete
description
neuron's
local
connectivity,
but
does
electrophysiological
information.
Here,
we
leveraged
information
predict
transcriptomically
subclass
and/or
MET-type
inhibitory
neurons
within
EM
dataset.
We
further
analysed
Martinotti
cells-a
somatostatin
(Sst)-positive17
type18,19-which
classified
successfully
into
Sst
MET-types
with
distinct
axon
myelination
output
connectivity
patterns.
demonstrate
features
can
be
used
link
across
experimental
modalities,
enabling
comparison
gene
expression
electrophysiology.
observe
unique
rules
for
predicted
types.
Nature,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
640(8058), P. 470 - 477
Published: April 9, 2025
Abstract
The
complexity
of
neural
circuits
makes
it
challenging
to
decipher
the
brain’s
algorithms
intelligence.
Recent
breakthroughs
in
deep
learning
have
produced
models
that
accurately
simulate
brain
activity,
enhancing
our
understanding
computational
objectives
and
coding.
However,
is
difficult
for
such
generalize
beyond
their
training
distribution,
limiting
utility.
emergence
foundation
1
trained
on
vast
datasets
has
introduced
a
new
artificial
intelligence
paradigm
with
remarkable
generalization
capabilities.
Here
we
collected
large
amounts
activity
from
visual
cortices
multiple
mice
model
predict
neuronal
responses
arbitrary
natural
videos.
This
generalized
minimal
successfully
predicted
across
various
stimulus
domains,
as
coherent
motion
noise
patterns.
Beyond
response
prediction,
also
anatomical
cell
types,
dendritic
features
connectivity
within
MICrONS
functional
connectomics
dataset
2
.
Our
work
crucial
step
towards
building
brain.
As
neuroscience
accumulates
larger,
multimodal
datasets,
will
reveal
statistical
regularities,
enable
rapid
adaptation
tasks
accelerate
research.
Nature,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: May 7, 2025
Abstract
The
information-processing
capability
of
the
brain’s
cellular
network
depends
on
physical
wiring
pattern
between
neurons
and
their
molecular
functional
characteristics.
Mapping
resolving
individual
synaptic
connections
can
be
achieved
by
volumetric
imaging
at
nanoscale
resolution
1,2
with
dense
labelling.
Light
microscopy
is
uniquely
positioned
to
visualize
specific
molecules,
but
dense,
synapse-level
circuit
reconstruction
light
has
been
out
reach,
owing
limitations
in
resolution,
contrast
capability.
Here
we
describe
light-microscopy-based
connectomics
(LICONN).
We
integrated
specifically
engineered
hydrogel
embedding
expansion
comprehensive
deep-learning-based
segmentation
analysis
connectivity,
thereby
directly
incorporating
information
into
reconstructions
brain
tissue.
LICONN
will
allow
phenotyping
tissue
biological
experiments
a
readily
adoptable
manner.
Research Square (Research Square),
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: May 20, 2025
Abstract
The
leptomeninges,
composed
of
the
arachnoid
mater,
and
pia
contains
distinct
subgroups
fibroblasts
that
differ
in
location
transcriptomic
profiles.
These
contribute
to
blood–cerebrospinal
fluid
barrier
under
physiological
conditions,
participate
fibrosis,
support
blood–brain
integrity
during
injury
disease.
However,
their
Ca2+
signaling
profiles
underlying
mechanisms
health
disease
remain
poorly
understood.
In
this
study,
we
divided
leptomeningeal
into
three
based
on
locations:
fibroblasts,
mater
perivascular
fibroblasts.
We
employed
two-photon
microscopy
awake
transgenic
mice
expressing
Ca²⁺
indicators
investigate
spontaneous
behaviorally
evoked
transients
across
different
fibroblast
subgroups.
found
each
subgroup
exhibits
a
activity
profile,
with
showing
highest-amplitude
transients.
Moreover,
these
displayed
unique
responses
both
whisker
air-puff
stimulation
locomotion.
further
demonstrated,
using
chronically
implanted
cannula
beneath
cranial
window,
locomotion-associated
vasodilation
is
followed
by
TRPV4
channel-mediated
elevations.
Finally,
systemic
inflammation
induced
lipopolysaccharide
(LPS)
reduced
likely
due
macrophage
infiltration
following
inflammatory
response.
For
first
time,
study
characterizes
dynamics
animals,
providing
novel
insights
functional
roles
healthy
diseased
brain.