Synergy Between Mouse and Human Brain Research in the Digital Era

In the age of precision medicine, integrating digital brain research with genetics offers new insights into human diseases, particularly rare diseases, which often have a genetic origin and impact neurodevelopment. Combining animal model data with digital tools such as AI and modelling provides opportunities to refine treatments and deepen our understanding of brain disorders. Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) affect brain function, leading to socioeconomic challenges. Recent studies highlight the importance of cross-species research and digital methodologies, such as the JuGEx tool, to explore gene expression differences across brain regions.

Our pilot study identified schizophrenia-related candidate genes with subregion-specific expression in the hippocampus, demonstrating the potential of detailed brain atlases for understanding genetic contributions to neurodevelopmental alterations. Cross-species comparisons, enhanced by digital tools, are critical for translating findings from animal models to humans, guiding therapeutic development, and advancing neuroscience research.

Original publication:
Hölter S M, Garrett L, Bludau S et al. Digital tools of analysis and data integration facilitate synergy between mouse and human brain research and enable translation. Mammalian Genome 35, 544-550 (2024). DOI: 10.1007/s00335-024-10072-1