Scientists from Auckland, New Zealand, and Germany have created a groundbreaking 3D computer model of the human nasal cavity and the part of the brain connected to smell.
This detailed reconstruction of the olfactory system could lead to new treatments for diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. It’s the first time such a detailed model has been made for humans.
The project started in 2018 at the University of Auckland’s Centre for Brain Research. Thousands of tiny slices of nasal and brain tissue were carefully dissected and sent to the Max Planck Research Unit in Germany, where they were scanned over 2,000 hours. The data was then processed by a supercomputer in New Zealand, with AI trained to build the 3D model.
Professor Maurice Curtis, a lead scientist on the project, explained that the model shows the paths neurons take to carry smell signals to the brain. This area is also where diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s often begin. Losing the sense of smell is an early warning sign of these illnesses.
This breakthrough was made possible by generous body donations for scientific research. The new model could help scientists better understand how diseases spread in the brain and lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment options for patients.
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