Distributed, web-based microstructure database for brain tissue

A finite element model of the cerebral cortex enables a structured visualiz ation of its gross anatomy and provides access to the neuronal databases as sociated with each finite element of tissue. Partitioned by finite elements , the distributed, web-based microstructure database serves as a tool for o rganizing neurons and neuronal forests, and for modeling local cortical mic rostructure by wiring up the forests. Embedding the database in XML adds st ructure and web accessibility to the inherent information. When integrated with the brain tissue scanner, the distributed, web-based microstructure da tabase serves as a comprehensive infrastructure for organizing brain tissue at three different hierarchical levels: volume, neuronal morphology, and n etwork. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.