Biophysics Program, Harvard University, Cambridge, 02138, Massachusetts
Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, 02138, Massachusetts.
J Neurosci. 2023 Aug 23;43(34):5989-5995. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1014-23.2023.
The brain is a complex system comprising a myriad of interacting neurons, posing significant challenges in understanding its structure, function, and dynamics. Network science has emerged as a powerful tool for studying such interconnected systems, offering a framework for integrating multiscale data and complexity. To date, network methods have significantly advanced functional imaging studies of the human brain and have facilitated the development of control theory-based applications for directing brain activity. Here, we discuss emerging frontiers for network neuroscience in the brain atlas era, addressing the challenges and opportunities in integrating multiple data streams for understanding the neural transitions from development to healthy function to disease. We underscore the importance of fostering interdisciplinary opportunities through workshops, conferences, and funding initiatives, such as supporting students and postdoctoral fellows with interests in both disciplines. By bringing together the network science and neuroscience communities, we can develop novel network-based methods tailored to neural circuits, paving the way toward a deeper understanding of the brain and its functions, as well as offering new challenges for network science.
大脑是一个由无数相互作用的神经元组成的复杂系统，理解其结构、功能和动态具有很大的挑战性。网络科学已经成为研究这种相互关联系统的有力工具，为整合多尺度数据和复杂性提供了一个框架。迄今为止，网络方法极大地推动了人类大脑功能成像研究，并促进了基于控制理论的引导大脑活动的应用的发展。在这里，我们讨论了在脑图谱时代网络神经科学的新兴前沿，解决了整合多个数据流以理解从发育到健康功能再到疾病的神经转变的挑战和机遇。我们强调了通过研讨会、会议和资助计划促进跨学科机会的重要性，例如支持对这两个学科都感兴趣的学生和博士后研究员。通过将网络科学和神经科学社区聚集在一起，我们可以开发针对神经回路的新型基于网络的方法，为更深入地理解大脑及其功能铺平道路，并为网络科学提出新的挑战。
