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Neuroimaging-Guided TMS–EEG for Real-Time Cortical Network Mapping
Published on: June 13, 2025
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Technologies for large-scale mapping of functional neural circuits active during a user-defined time window.
Natalia V Barykina1, Maksim M Karasev2, Vladislav V Verkhusha3
1P.K. Anokhin Institute of Normal Physiology, Moscow 125315, Russia; Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00290, Finland.
Progress in Neurobiology
|June 2, 2022
Summary
New technologies precisely label active neurons in the brain using light and genetic tools. This allows researchers to map neural circuits and understand brain information processing.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Mapping neural circuits is essential for understanding brain function.
- Activity-dependent neuronal labeling technologies are rapidly advancing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the design of novel technologies for activity-dependent neuronal labeling.
- To discuss applications in mapping mammalian brain circuits.
- To evaluate current approaches and future perspectives.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing genetically encoded molecules that respond to neuronal activity.
- Integrating light/drug-dependent events with molecular signaling.
- Employing changes in fluorescence or gene expression as outputs.
- Using molecular reporters for visualization and cell-type identification.
- Leveraging transcriptional readouts for optogenetic control.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated applications reveal previously unknown neural connections in the mammalian brain.
- Technologies allow precise marking of neuronal activity within restricted time windows.
- Molecular reporters enable visualization and identification of activated neurons.
- Transcriptional readouts facilitate optogenetic manipulation of neuronal populations.
Conclusions:
- Advanced technologies offer unprecedented precision in mapping neural circuits.
- These tools are crucial for decoding brain information processing.
- Future developments will further enhance our understanding of brain connectivity.
