Illustration of a network, consisting of colorful spheres connected by white lines. Two mice, a bird, flies and fish are shown next to the network.

Neuronal Networks and Brain Complexity

From the outside, a brain looks like a rather undefined gray-white mass. The microscope reveals an intricate jungle of neurons that have their designated positions in the brain. On closer inspection, we can even identify synapses – the contact points between nerve cells. This is where neurons exchange information. But which route does a certain bit of information take when it travels through the cellular labyrinth?

Biological intelligence in well-ordered pathways

Throughout evolution, neuronal networks have developed to process the flood of information that reaches the brain. These networks consist of interconnected nerve cells and perform specific tasks. There are specialized neuronal networks for all conceivable forms of biological intelligence. Some of them enable animals to recognize conspecifics, enemies or food. Others help birds to adapt their song to environmental noise or to other birds’ songs. Still other networks mediate social attraction between individuals and lay the foundations for group dynamics and flocking behavior.

Searching for clues with artificial intelligence

Today, we can use high-resolution electron microscopy to visualize all the neuronal networks in the brain down to the finest detail. As there are simply too many cells and connections in the brain, it would be impossible to identify and map the networks manually. We therefore use artificial intelligence to evaluate the huge amounts of data. We can also track the flow of information along a single neuronal pathway with biological sensor molecules that light up or change color under certain conditions. Our research enables us to decipher the complex processes of information transmission in the brain. This knowledge can also lead to a better understanding of the causes of neurological diseases.

Recent research on this topic:

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Drawing of a black-grey bird. In the background, three different brains are shown: a brain during the day when awake; a brain in the first six hours of the night (both brain halves are asleep, shown by the letters "Z"); a brain in the last six hours of the night (one brain half contains fewer and smaller "Z").

Departments and groups working in this area:

Herwig Baier	Tobias Bonhoeffer	Alexander Borst	Winfried Denk	Lisa Fenk
Lorenz Fenk	Manfred Gahr	Oliver Griesbeck	Benedikt Grothe	Angelika Harbauer
Susanne Hoffmann	Rüdiger Klein	Christian Mayer	Niels Rattenborg	Daniela Vallentin