The mind is the physique’s most complicated organ, in line with the Nationwide Institute of Neurological Problems and Stroke. And although the typical human mind weighs a mere 3 kilos — someplace within the neighborhood of a pineapple — it accommodates a labyrinth of 86 billion intricately networked neurons and nonneuronal cells, all with totally different however important obligations.
In 2017, the Nationwide Institutes of Well being launched its Mind Analysis By way of Advancing Modern Neurotechnologies Initiative, or the BRAIN Initiative. The $375 million challenge includes a world consortium of analysis facilities centered on exploring and cataloging human, primate, and rodent brain-cell varieties.
The group’s analysis has at present recognized greater than 3,300 varieties of human mind cells — way over was beforehand suspected. But the perform of myriad cells stays mysterious.
“Mapping out the various kinds of cells within the mind and understanding how they work collectively will in the end assist us uncover new therapies that may goal particular person cell varieties related to particular ailments.”
The researchers’ findings had been revealed in additional than 20 papers in 2023. In one of many research, College of California San Diego researchers analyzed 1.1 million human mind cells to create detailed maps of gene switches in brain-cell varieties. They found hyperlinks between traits of cell varieties and customary neuropsychiatric issues, together with schizophrenia, bipolar dysfunction, Alzheimer’s illness, and main despair.
“The human mind isn’t homogenous,” explains senior research creator Bing Ren, PhD, professor on the College of California San Diego Faculty of Drugs, in a press launch. “It’s made up of an enormously complicated community of neurons and nonneuronal cells, with every serving totally different capabilities. Mapping out the various kinds of cells within the mind and understanding how they work collectively will in the end assist us uncover new therapies that may goal particular person cell varieties related to particular ailments.”
