New brain map connects mice and primates to strengthen medical research
Most neuroscience research still runs on mice, even though much of what applies to mice does not hold up in humans. Marmosets have emerged as a bridge between species. However, comparing the brains of mice and marmosets runs into a chicken-and-egg problem. Scientists need to know which part of one brain matches the respective region of the other, but almost every brain map draws those areas…
A new brain map published in Communications Biology links mouse and marmoset brains, aiming to improve medical research. Despite mice being the primary model for neuroscience, findings often fail to translate to humans. Marmosets, a primate species, bridge this gap but require a cross-species brain map for accurate comparison. The map, created by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Professor Partha Mitra and colleagues, connects brain regions by first identifying and matching the smallest identifiable areas, or leaf-level regions.
These correspond to about 43% of mouse regions and 47% of marmoset regions, providing a foundation for further comparative studies. The team found that the marmoset cerebral cortex is more specialized than the mouse's. While not a final solution, this map serves as a valuable reference point for neuroscientists to understand brain connectivity and apply findings more accurately to human health.
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