METHODS OF BRAIN MAPPING: EXTENDED BIBLIOGRAPHIC REVIEW AND CONTEMPORARY APPROACHES

Abstract

The human brain consists of 10¹¹ neurons. The ambitious aim of modern Neuroscience is the entire mapping of the brain connections, so that it becomes clear the way the brain determines every aspect of the human life. Therefore multiple methods of brain imaging are being used and applied to post-mortem samples, laboratory animals and healthy volunteers. Moreover, scientists focus on different levels of brain organization. The aim of the present study is to review the major- recent and older- brain mapping methods, the listing of their advantages and disadvantages in relation to the research aim and the comparison of the methodology utilized by different brain mapping programs around the world. The study was based on a number of published articles which include innovative experiments of neurophysiology, the improvement of older methods (e.g. electroencephalogram (EEG), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and other), the multidimensional application of recent methods (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), Optogenetics)  and the use of Bioinformatics and automated tools in big data editing. A combination of multiple methods and data from human and other species on different levels (macroconnectomic for major anatomic brain structures, mesoconnectomic for cyto- and myeloarchitrecture and microconnectomic for defining the density of receptors and neurotransmitters) is required, in order to achieve a representative –structural and functional – brain mapping process. The preliminary results of the different brain mapping programms showed that a combination of methods and interdisciplinary cooperation is required. The prospect of these studies is very promising for the future by exploring the underlying mechanisms in various neurological diseases, the application of novel treatments and the studying of the human brain on many neurodevelopmental and behavioral states.