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Architecture of the Mouse Brain Synaptome
Fei Zhu1, Mélissa Cizeron2, Zhen Qiu3
1Genes to Cognition Program, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK; UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, WC1N 3BG London, UK.
Neuron
|August 7, 2018
Summary
Researchers mapped over a billion synapses in the mouse brain, revealing unique distributions and signatures for each brain region. This synaptome cartography offers insights into brain architecture and cognitive disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Systems Biology
Background:
- Synapses are crucial for brain function, possessing complex proteomes.
- Understanding individual synapse organization is key to deciphering brain circuitry.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and apply novel methods for cataloging individual excitatory synapses across the entire mouse brain.
- To map the brain's synaptome and analyze its relationship with anatomical, functional, and behavioral data.
Main Methods:
- Utilized genetic labeling and advanced imaging techniques to analyze synaptic proteins.
- Generated comprehensive synapse catalogs based on molecular and morphological features of approximately one billion synapses.
- Performed whole-brain synaptome cartography to reveal spatial architecture and anatomical features.
Main Results:
- Each synapse subtype exhibited a distinct anatomical distribution, creating unique regional signatures.
- Synaptome mapping demonstrated a correlation between synapse diversity and structural/functional connectomes.
- Synapse diversity was highest in cognitive areas, and mutations linked to cognitive disorders altered synaptome maps.
Conclusions:
- Synaptome cartography provides a detailed map of brain architecture at multiple levels.
- Synapse diversity is linked to cognitive function and is disrupted in cognitive disorders.
- The developed technology offers broad applications for studying both normal and diseased brains.
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