Cellular-resolution connectomics: challenges of dense neural circuit reconstruction

Nat Methods. 2013 Jun;10(6):501-7. doi: 10.1038/nmeth.2476.

Abstract

Neuronal networks are high-dimensional graphs that are packed into three-dimensional nervous tissue at extremely high density. Comprehensively mapping these networks is therefore a major challenge. Although recent developments in volume electron microscopy imaging have made data acquisition feasible for circuits comprising a few hundreds to a few thousands of neurons, data analysis is massively lagging behind. The aim of this perspective is to summarize and quantify the challenges for data analysis in cellular-resolution connectomics and describe current solutions involving online crowd-sourcing and machine-learning approaches.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Connectome*
  • Humans
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Neurons / physiology
  • Statistics as Topic