Google AI

What makes this specific brain map such a massive leap forward? Our new connectome maps over 166,000 neurons and 125 million connections, and it extends beyond the brain to include the nerve cord, which is analogous to our spinal cord. By comparison, our 2020 hemibrain connectome project with partners, a 3D reconstruction of a portion of the female fruit fly's brain, mapped just 25,000 neurons and 20 million connections. Plus, having complete maps for both sexes is a game-changer. It finally allows researchers to pinpoint exact structural differences and study how they drive specific biological behaviors.