February 25, 2025
BEIJING – Chinese scientists have made a significant leap in understanding the human brain’s complex structure, revealing the intrinsic link between genetic characteristics and the organization of neural connections.
A team from the Institute of Automation, part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, analyzed tens of thousands of brain scans, identifying three primary “axes” within the brain that dictate the positioning of different regions in the cerebral cortex. The researchers further mapped the relationship between these axes and genetic influences.
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“In the past, scientists have debated whether brain partitioning is determined by innate genes or shaped by acquired connections. This study provides a groundbreaking answer — genes set up the macro axes, allowing acquired connections to naturally form the detailed network,” said Fan Lingzhong, a researcher at the institute.
The team’s findings, published in Journal of Neuroscience, suggest that genes provide a foundational blueprint for brain structure, guiding the development of neural networks through spatial gradients.
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“It’s like finding the blueprint of the brain. Now we can not only understand the blueprint, but also see that there is room for modification,” Fan said.
The research identified three dominant topological axes: the dorsal-ventral axis, anterior-posterior axis and medial-lateral axis. These axes align with the distribution patterns of genes during embryonic development, indicating a strong genetic influence on brain organization.
This undated file photo shows the Chinese Academy of Sciences. PHOTO: CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES/CHINA DAILY
Beyond genes, the researchers plan to investigate how genes interact and whether environmental factors modify genetic control of brain connections.
“This provides important evidence and insights for understanding changes in the brain during human development, especially in early development, and brings new possibilities for treating brain disorders such as schizophrenia and autism. These disorders are influenced by genetic factors and are characterized by disrupted brain connectivity,” Fan said.
The team also discovered a significant shift in these three topological axes at birth, coinciding with the brain’s ability to process external stimuli. The switch is delayed in premature infants, offering potential insights into early brain development abnormalities.
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“This may help us understand abnormalities in early brain development,” he said.
Experts say that understanding brain structure could also advance artificial intelligence, including brain-machine interfaces and brain-like chip designs.
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“This is timely work and an important contribution to the field that explores the relationship between underlying genetic gradients and macroscale anatomical wiring,” a reviewer said in Journal of Neuroscience.
Fan acknowledged that the research raises further questions and emphasized the need for higher-resolution brain imaging and more precise genetic analysis.
“Although this study has made significant discoveries, it also raises more unresolved questions. We will continue to explore using higher-resolution brain imaging technologies and more precise genetic analysis tools, hoping to uncover more mysteries of the human brain,” Fan said.