Scientists Create Detailed Mouse Brain Simulation Using Supercomputer Power
A team of American and Japanese scientists has successfully created the most detailed animal brain simulation to date, utilizing the immense processing power of JapanS “Fugaku” supercomputer. The virtual model replicates the structure and function of the mouse cerebral cortex, encompassing approximately 10 million neurons, 26 billion synapses, and 86 interconnected brain regions. This achievement marks a significant step towards building,rather than simply understanding,the brain.
the “Fugaku” supercomputer, capable of quadrillion operations per second, was crucial in handling the complex calculations required for the simulation. The project was a collaborative effort led by the Allen Institute for Brain Science in the United States and the University of Electro-Communications in Japan, with contributions from three additional Japanese institutions.
Researchers leveraged thorough neurobiological data from the Allen Institute’s “Allen Cell Type Database” and “Allen Connection Atlas” to provide a precise structural and biophysical foundation for the digital brain. This data was then translated into a functioning digital cortex model using a brain modeling toolkit developed by the allen Institute.
The simulation employs a dedicated neuron simulator, “Neulite,” to convert mathematical equations into virtual neurons exhibiting realistic biological behavior. These simulated neurons generate electrical impulses, transmit signals, and form dynamic networks mirroring those found in living brains. The simulation accurately reproduces neuronal dendritic structures, synaptic signal transmission, and cell membrane potential fluctuations, offering a real-time visualization of brain activity.
This new model offers researchers unprecedented opportunities to investigate brain mechanisms. It allows for the simulation of neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and epilepsy, tracking lesion spread, studying brain wave formation, and analyzing the neural basis of attention and seizure propagation. This virtual surroundings provides a faster and more repeatable alternative to customary animal experimentation.
The achievement is expected to advance understanding of the neural basis of cognition and consciousness, potentially revealing early indicators of brain diseases and accelerating the development of new treatments and pharmaceuticals.
While acknowledging this as a major advancement, the research team emphasizes that it represents only an initial step towards full brain simulation. They highlight the importance of accurately replicating the brain’s complexity at the biophysical level to maximize the model’s scientific value. ultimately, the team’s long-term objective is the digital reconstruction of the human brain.
Source: Science and Technology Daily (as per original article)
Note: This rewrite preserves all verifiable facts from the original article and avoids any speculation or fabrication. It aims for clarity and conciseness while maintaining the core information.
