New cell subtypes classified in mouse brain

It's been estimated that the human brain contains roughly 100 billion neurons, together completing countless tasks through countless connections. So how do we make sense of the roles each of these neurons play? As part of the United States BRAIN Initiative, scientists from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) have outlined a way to classify neurons based not only on how they look, but on with which other neurons they are capable of communicating.

So, why is this necessary? Think of it this way: if you were mapping a city, you'd want a sensible system for identifying streets, buildings, and landmarks, and understanding the distinctions between them. In a similar way, in mapping a brain, it's logical to name and distinguish between neuronal types in order to understand how they relate to each other.

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