Connecto-informatics at the mesoscale: current advances in image processing and analysis for mapping the brain...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Bioimaging
• Computational Biology

Background:

• Mapping neural connections is crucial for understanding brain function, aging, and diseases.
• Advances in microscopy and labeling enable high-resolution brain-wide imaging.
• Access to integrated image processing pipelines for neural data is currently limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an updated overview of recent advances in image processing methods for neural connectivity mapping.
• To focus on fluorescent imaging techniques for the mouse brain.
• To outline a pathway toward an integrated image processing pipeline for connecto-informatics.

Main Methods:

• Review of current image processing techniques for neural connectivity.
• Focus on registration to atlases, segmentation, and signal detection.
• Highlighting tools for fluorescent imaging of the mouse brain.

Main Results:

• Identified challenges in accessing integrated image processing pipelines.
• Detailed recent advances in relevant image processing methods.
• Presented a pathway for developing an integrated connecto-informatics pipeline.

Conclusions:

• An integrated image processing workflow is essential for efficient brain connectivity mapping.
• This review contributes to a deeper understanding of connecto-informatics.
• Facilitating research into complex brain networks and functions.