Scientists Create First Draft of Developing Human Brain Atlas

• 11 Nov 2025

In November 2025, scientists achieved a major milestone under the U.S. National Institutes of Health’s BRAIN Initiative Cell Atlas Network (BICAN) by completing the first draft of atlases of the developing human and mammalian brain, offering new insights into how brain cells form and mature.

Key Points

• Major Breakthrough: Researchers charted how various brain cells emerge, differentiate, and mature from embryonic to adult stages, creating the first detailed draft atlas of developing brain cells.
• Study Scope: The research covered brain cells from humans, mice, and monkeys, revealing similarities and differences in cell development across species.
• Genetic Mapping: Scientists tracked gene activation and deactivation across time, identifying key genes that regulate brain cell specialization and overall brain development.
• New Discoveries: The team discovered previously unknown brain cell types in the neocortex and striatum, regions linked to cognition and movement.
• Unique Human Traits: The human brain showed a prolonged differentiation process in cortical cells due to its longer developmental timeline compared to animals.
• Applications in Medicine: The findings could lead to better understanding and targeted therapies for disorders like autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and schizophrenia.