Introduction
The brain is a very complex structure, and despite many researches and discoveries, did not reveal all its mysteries. Moreover, for ethical and clinical reasons, it is difficult to establish extensive research on living things. That is why the Human Brain Project was launched in 2013. On the Human Brain Project Summit in Washington DC last November, presenting the latest research and results, seemed interesting to us to have it known and explain what it is.
Presentation
The Human Brain Project (HBP) is a scientific project, created on initiative of the neuroscientist Henry Markram, which aims by around 2024, to simulate the functioning of the human brain through a supercomputer. HBP wants to revolutionize the understanding of the human brain through computer modeling, and the results are aimed at developing new effective medical therapies for neurological diseases. It brings together thousands of researchers, in collaboration with more than 90 European and international research institutes spread across 19 countries. The project was challenged in 2015, which led to a partial reorientation of the project, with more emphasis on cognitive neuroscience.
One of the deepest problems of science is the nature of consciousness: how is it generated by the brain? The biggest challenge in understanding the brain is deciphering how behavior, disease, and the environment can influence what happens at the molecular, genetic, or cellular levels. HBP supports the work of cognitive and theoretical neuroscientists to better understand how our brain works, by mapping it. A major goal of HBP is to use multi-scale model simulation to discover the neural mechanisms underlying cognitive processes, such as learning, perception, sleep, and consciousness, to understand cognition. Using the latest tools and techniques, researchers are developing theories, models and atlases of the brain, both at the molecular and anatomical level. Ultimately, creating a map of brain structure, digitally scanned and reassembled to explore the structure and connections of the brain.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
Generated data sets are so vast that neuroscience need a high-performance computing to connect the scales into a complete picture. HBP develops advanced software for data analysis, modeling and simulation at all levels of brain organization, from the level of single molecules to the entire brain, to understand how different levels of brain organization interact and generate a complex behavior. Progress is being made in the field of neurorobotics, where brain models are tested by connecting them to physical or virtual robots.
Thus, the neuroscientists at HBP, the computer science and robotics experts are working together to build a unique Information and Communications Technology (ICT), based infrastructure for brain research, that will make a lasting contribution to the scientific community World. This platform gives researchers tools for collaboration, analysis and data sharing.
Applications
In addition, the computer environment used for the simulation offers the possibility to study the pathological processes electronically. The simulations of the brain allow us to perform experiments that would be impossible on humans or on animals, to accelerate the development of new therapies and reduce the need for animal experiments. These new ways of measuring levels of consciousness will make clinicians less dependent on purely behavioral measures.
Thereby, this project will allow a better understanding of the brain – to improve diagnoses for patients with brain diseases and accelerate the development of new targeted treatments.
Moreover, HBP also examines the social and ethical implications of their work ; this includes reflection on our understanding of consciousness, animal research, patient anonymity, etc., and engages the public on these issues. It also runs a comprehensive education program to increase the capacity of scientists and engineers to work in interdisciplinary teams.
Written By BARBIER Charlotte & HOUSTY Tiphaine , M2 PPCECC
References
Frackowiak, R., & Markram, H. (2015). The future of human cerebral cartography: a novel approach. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 370(1668), 20140171.
https://www.humanbrainproject.eu/en/
