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Updated: Jul 4, 2026
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Modeling the Functional Network for Spatial Navigation in the Human Brain
Published on: October 13, 2023
Modeling functional neuroanatomy for an anatomy information system.
Jörg M Niggemann1, Andreas Gebert, Stefan Schulz
1linikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany. joerg.niggemann@thoughtblade.com
Summary
This study introduces a new model for neuroanatomy, representing the "internal wiring" of brain structures and functional pathways. This model enhances existing systems by detailing neuronal connections for better understanding of brain function.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Computational Biology
- Anatomy
Background:
- Existing neuroanatomical ontologies like FMA lack the ability to represent the "internal wiring" of brain structures.
- This limitation prevents adequate representation of functional pathways and systems, such as the pupillary light reflex.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel model for functional neuroanatomy and its pathways.
- To identify and utilize underlying anatomical objects (collections of neurons) as basic building blocks for this model.
Main Methods:
- Defined basic representational elements as unnamed groups of neurons or neuron segments.
- Established relationships between these neuronal groups and macroscopic anatomical objects.
- Incorporated the resulting model into the Foundational Model of Anatomy (FMA) for comparison.
Main Results:
- The presented model successfully represents and tracks the internal wiring of brain structures.
- Functional pathways within the nervous system can be accurately depicted and analyzed.
Conclusions:
- This model bridges the gap between cellular-level neuronal representations and macroscopic brain structures.
- It enables accurate inferences about nervous system pathways and can be extended into an ontology for neuronal functional systems.
