A collaboration of 22 neuroscientists has yielded a comprehensive neural map that captures activity across nearly 95% of the mouse brain during decision-making. This groundbreaking study, which took seven years to complete, analyzed data from 139 mice and over 600,000 neurons across 279 brain regions. Unlike previous research that focused on small clusters of neurons, this map shows widespread neuronal activity throughout the brain when decisions are made.
Key findings reveal that electrical activity initiates in visual processing areas and expands to motor control regions, leading to actions like turning a wheel for rewards. The study utilized advanced Neuropixels technology, allowing researchers to record signals from groups of neurons simultaneously. This level of detail in brain mapping is being likened to significant collaborative advancements in other scientific fields, with aspirations of establishing a large-scale, comprehensive approach to neuroscience akin to the Sloan Digital Sky Survey in astronomy. Such efforts mark a potential shift in how neuroscientific research is conducted globally.
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