Neuroscience databases: tools for exploring brain structure-function relationships

Faster than ever, neuroscience is generating vast amounts of data that awai t cross-referencing, comparison, integration and interpretation in the ende avour to unravel the mechanisms of the brain. The complex, diverse and dist ributed nature of these data requires the development of advanced neuroinfo rmatics methodologies for databases and associated tools that are now begin ning to emerge. This paper presents an overview of current issues in the re presentation, integration and analysis of neuroscience data from molecular to brain systems levels, including issues of implementation, standardizatio n, management, quality control, copyright, confidentiality and acceptance. Particular emphasis is given to integrative neuroinformatics approaches for exploring structure-function relationships in the brain.