Scientists create largest-ever map of brain region tied to Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia and autism

An international team has created the most detailed cellular atlas of the basal ganglia, a brain region linked to various neurological disorders. This atlas includes data from 25.5 million cells across humans and three other mammals, aiming to enhance understanding of conditions like Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, schizophrenia, and autism. The research identifies a new cell type associated with schizophrenia and highlights genetic changes related to autism. It also reveals age-related cellular changes and establishes a standardized nomenclature for cell types across species, facilitating future research. This work is part of the BRAIN Initiative, which seeks to map all human brain cell types.