Researchers have unveiled a groundbreaking tool named BraDiPho (Brain Dissection Photogrammetry) that merges brain dissection with imaging techniques to create a detailed 3D atlas of human white matter connections. This innovative development is the result of over five years of collaboration among experts from the University of Trento, the Provincial Healthcare Service of Trento, Fondazione Bruno Kessler, and the Universities of Bordeaux and Sherbrooke. The findings were published on March 15, 2025, in Nature Communications, with doctoral student Laura Vavassori as the lead author.
The BraDiPho tool represents a significant advancement in integrating ex-vivo dissection with in-vivo tractography data. This integration has not previously been achieved in studying human white matter connections, highlighting a shift towards multidisciplinary research that combines clinical neuroscience with artificial intelligence.
Advancements in Neurosurgery and Neurorehabilitation
The implications of this research are profound, particularly for neurosurgery and the treatment of conditions such as brain tumors and degenerative neurological disorders. It also opens new possibilities in neuro-rehabilitation by enhancing the understanding of brain plasticity. The study was coordinated by Silvio Sarubbo, a professor at the Center for Medical Sciences and director of the Neurosurgery Operating Unit at Santa Chiara Hospital, along with Paolo Avesani, head of the Neuroinformatics Laboratory at Fondazione Bruno Kessler, and Laurent Petit, a researcher at the University of Bordeaux.
Sarubbo draws a compelling analogy to explain the tool’s significance: “The human brain is a world, and BraDiPho is a 3D map that enables professionals to identify the highways of brain functions.” This resource allows neurosurgeons to better prepare for procedures, ensuring a more precise approach to the intricate anatomy of the brain.
The integration of ex-vivo and in-vivo data is a leap forward. Until now, validating results from diffusion MRI tractography, which often produces false positives, required meticulous microdissection in laboratories. The challenge lay in merging these two worlds, an issue that the research teams successfully addressed.
Revolutionizing Brain Mapping Techniques
The BraDiPho tool employs thousands of high-resolution images taken from multiple angles to create an accurate 3D model of anatomical specimens. This model can be seamlessly combined with magnetic resonance imaging, offering a comprehensive view of brain structures. As Avesani notes, “Artificial intelligence makes a decisive contribution to the individual reconstruction of brain connectivity.”
The research team has translated 12 anatomical specimens into photogrammetry, which are now freely available online for the scientific community. This initiative allows neurosurgeons worldwide to download models and overlay them with patient-specific data, enhancing the accuracy of surgical planning.
Sarubbo emphasizes that this atlas not only serves as an educational resource for future doctors but also informs clinical decisions regarding neurological disorders. “Knowing which part of the brain degenerates first is crucial for effective intervention,” he explains. The insights gained from BraDiPho have the potential to significantly improve outcomes in treatments like neuromodulation, particularly for conditions such as Parkinson’s disease.
As the scientific community continues to explore the vast complexities of the human brain, BraDiPho stands out as a pioneering tool, bridging gaps between anatomical knowledge and clinical practice. The collaborative effort underscores a commitment to advancing medical science through innovative methodologies, offering hope for enhanced therapeutic strategies in neurology and beyond.
