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New ‘connectome’ shows all 124 million contact points in the fruit fly’s nervous system
The map traces 124.2 million synapses and reveals male-specific circuits linked to courtship and aggression, researchers said.
- On Thursday, Cambridge scientists published the first complete map of a male fruit fly's nervous system in the journal Cell. This connectome charts 166,700 neurons and 124.2 million synapses, concluding a 20-year research project.
- Researchers completed the female fruit fly connectome two years ago, creating a basis for comparison. Comparing these two detailed wiring diagrams allows scientists to examine sex-specific brain differences that influence complex social behaviors like mating and aggression.
- While 95% of cells are shared between sexes, the remaining 5% drive distinct behaviors. Dr. Isabella Beckett, joint first author, noted these unique networks coordinate male-specific courtship songs and physical aggression, such as lunging.
- The team generated the map by slicing the nervous system into 66 pieces and using machine learning to trace neurons. Carlos Ribeiro of the Champalimaud Foundation suggests the fly's efficient architecture could provide principles for designing more effective artificial systems.
- Scientists now aim to map larval Danio and adult Danionella fish to understand how vertebrate brains enable complex behaviors. This research may eventually help unravel the genetic basis of human neurological conditions, such as schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders.
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New map of a male fly central nervous system includes all 166,000 neurons — and enables direct comparisons to female fly brain
A new map of the adult male fruit fly brain and nerve cord includes over 166,000 neurons and the millions of connections between them.
·New York, United States
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Total News Sources11
Leaning Left1Leaning Right1Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution67% Center
Bias Distribution
- 67% of the sources are Center
67% Center
L 17%
C 67%
R 16%
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