Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your tax-deductible donation now.
This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.
Scientists are working on a massive project to map every brain cell
A human brain at a 2009 exhibition in Brazil.
(
Mauricio Lima/AFP/Getty Images
)
Listen
0:50
Scientists are working on a massive project to map every brain cell
The National Institutes of Health is taking another step in its ongoing effort to better understand the brain: It’s planning to spend $250 million on a project to map every brain cell.
The Salk Institute in La Jolla says it will lead the effort. CalTech, USC are among the other institutions participating.
The project is the latest phase in the Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies Initiative, or BRAIN, launched by President Obama in 2013.
The NIH says the goal of the latest BRAIN effort is to put together a "parts list" for the brain.
"Think, you find a computer, and you can recognize the main parts of the computer, but not all the details that make it work," said Margarita Behrens, a senior scientist at the Salk Institute in La Jolla. "A little bit the same happens with the brain."
Besides mapping the brain’s cells, the project will try to better understand how those cells interact with each other, she said. That will contribute to efforts to cure disorders like Alzheimer’s and schizophrenia.
It will take a few years to put together the complete brain atlas. Some of the research will begin with mice, said Behrens, because for certain tests, "unfortunately, you can only look at [the human brain] post-mortem."
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
