A team of neuroscientists at the University of South Florida led by Dr. George Spirou is employing virtual reality and artificial intelligence to create 3D visual timelines of newborn mice brains, offering potential insights into conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, autism, and traumatic brain injuries.
Neuroscientists at the University of South Florida (USF) have developed an advanced method for brain mapping that could provide insights into Alzheimer’s disease, autism, and traumatic brain injuries. Led by Dr. George Spirou, a professor of medical engineering, the team is using virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI) to create 3D visual timelines of the developing brains of newborn mice. These mice have similar neuron types and connections as humans.
The research focuses on the calyx of Held, the largest nerve terminal in mammals, which processes sound—a critical function linked to conditions like autism. The scientists’ VR software allows for the detailed examination and analysis of neuron development and synapse connections. This high-definition chronological mapping may help identify developmental disorders and offer potential therapeutic strategies for neural degeneration or injury.
The project, in collaboration with the University of California at San Diego, Oregon Health & Science University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, received a $3.3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The research is part of a larger scientific effort following the Brain Initiative launched by former President Barack Obama in 2013.
Dr. Spirou emphasizes that newborn mice’s brain development models human gestation, making them ideal for this research. The findings could pave the way for future studies and advancements in understanding and treating neurological disorders.
