New Brain-Mapping Tool START Unveiled by Salk Scientists

The innovative technology maps neuronal connections with unprecedented precision, paving the way for targeted neurological treatments.

The Single Transcriptome Assisted Rabies Tracing (START) tool combines monosynaptic rabies virus tracing and single-cell transcriptomics.
START identifies specific connectivity patterns among inhibitory neuron subtypes in the cerebral cortex.
This detailed mapping could lead to novel therapeutics that target specific neurons, potentially reducing side effects.
Researchers first used START to explore connectivity in the mouse visual cortex, identifying around 50 inhibitory neuron subtypes.
Future applications include developing viral vectors and gene-editing technologies for conditions like autism and schizophrenia.