Mapping human brain pathways: challenges and opportunities in the integration of scales

The human brain is composed of a complex web of pathways. Diffusion magnetic resonance (MR) tractography relies on the principle of diffusion to reconstruct brain pathways. Its tractography is broadly applicable to a range of problems as it is amenable to being studied in individuals of any age and from any species. However, it is well-known that this technique can generate biologically implausible pathways, especially in regions of the brain where multiple fibers cross. This review highlights potential mis-connections in two cortico-cortical association pathways with a focus on the aslant tract and inferior frontal occipital fasciculus. There is a lack of alternative methods to validate observations from diffusion MR tractography, which emphasize the need to develop new integrative approaches to trace human brain pathways. This review discusses integrative approaches in neuroimaging, anatomical, and transcriptional variation as having much potential to trace pathways and map modifications in the evolution of human brain pathways.

Source: Brain, Behavior and Evolution - March 27, 2023 Category: Neurology Source Type: research