3D Model of the Human Hippocampus Advances Brain Research
Researchers have created a three‑dimensional structural model of the human hippocampus, a development highlighted by the Human Brain Project portal. The high resolution of this model enables researchers to identify individual neurons and to replicate both the internal organization and the neural circuitry of this critical brain region. The team built the model by integrating numerous brain images, and they suggest the same approach could yield full-scale representations of additional areas in the human brain.
According to one of the study’s lead researchers, the current knowledge on single neurons in the human brain is limited, especially when it comes to precise three‑dimensional placement and neuron-to-neuron communication. The team mined high‑resolution hippocampal images from a comprehensive database, then determined the positions of individual neurons through detailed image analysis.
To map the true spatial distribution of neurons, the researchers developed their own image processing methods. They also created a method to infer neuron connectivity by approximating the shapes of dendrites and axons. Dendrites and axons vary in form; some fit into narrow cones, while others extend in complex patterns that can be described by a sequence of geometric shapes and neighboring connections. The shape of these processes drives the likelihood of connections between neurons, and the team quantified this probability using a dedicated algorithm.
The researchers emphasize that the model will enable scientists to probe the architecture of the brain in new ways, offering a practical framework for exploring how neural networks are arranged and how they interact within the hippocampus and beyond. The work represents a step toward more comprehensive, data‑driven simulations of brain regions.
In related findings, researchers noted that regular physical activity continues to show broad benefits for health, including impacts on gut bacteria, with ongoing discussions about how lifestyle factors influence brain function and overall well‑being.