Reacción a "Published a detailed map of the connections between brain cells in mice"

These multi-centre and collaborative studies are of great importance to the field, as the most significant technological advances require the participation of experts in various disciplines, capable of integrating information from multiple perspectives. Moreover, with the development of computational tools such as machine learning and artificial intelligence, the capacity for data analysis and integration has reached unprecedented levels.

However, it is crucial to remember that neurons do not act in isolation: they need a whole network of non-neuronal cells, such as glia, to establish synapses and function properly. It is therefore crucial to conduct studies that collect information in a comprehensive way, without artificially separating cells by phenotype or individual characteristics. Although specific segmentation is performed in the study, the identification of non-neuronal structures such as astrocytes, microglia and blood vessels is also achieved, which allows for a more complete view of the circuit.

This type of work, which considers the connections within a sensory system, in this case visual, including all the cellular components involved, is essential to advance our understanding of how information is processed and integrated in the brain and, ultimately, how we perceive the world around us.