VOLUME LXXIII | JAN 2023

Unlocking the Brain’s Network: A Molecular Perspective

Imagine the brain as a vast interconnected web, where different regions communicate and collaborate to carry out complex functions. This captivating idea has revolutionized our understanding of neuroscience in the last two decades. Researchers believe that cognitive functions are orchestrated by interactions between various brain regions functioning as large-scale networks. When these networks become disrupted, it can lead to cognitive disorders. To capture these brain networks, scientists have employed techniques like electrophysiology and neuroimaging on a larger scale. However, there is a new frontier in brain connectomics – molecular imaging. By peering into the intricate molecular machinery within the brain, we may unlock deeper insights into how these networks operate and perhaps discover new therapeutic approaches for cognitive disorders. Do you want to take a peek at the cutting-edge research exploring this captivating topic?

Margaret Campbell

Margaret is a Scottish-Canadian educator and bioethicist from Alberta, focusing on ethical considerations in human enhancement technologies. She authors pieces on balancing ambition with moral integrity, rooted in her clan's emphasis on community and perseverance.

The powerful idea of the brain as a network has gradually gained traction over the past 20 years and has evolved into a major concept in neuroscience. According to this perspective, brain functions in general, and cognitive functions in particular, depend on interactions between distributed brain regions operating in large-scale networks [1]. Accordingly, dysfunction of these networks, or brain disconnectivity, has been observed in numerous cognitive disorders [2]. Brain networks (see Glossary) can be captured at the macroscale using electrophysiological and neuroimaging techniques.
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