Applied and Theoretical Neuroanatomy

Our unit studies the development and evolution of the brain. We develop mathematical models to better understand the origin of neocortical organisation, in particular, biophysical models of brain folding and connectivity. Our main animal model for the study of brain development is the ferret, whose first month after birth resembles the last trimester of gestation in humans – with a rich folding pattern and complex cortico-cortical connectivity. This line of research relies on multiple brain imaging modalities at different scales, such as whole-brain histology and magnetic resonance imaging. The results obtained through the theoretical and experimental analysis of brain development are used to study brain evolution, in particular, the evolution of the primate neocortex. Together, the study of evolution and development provide a conceptual framework for better understanding the variability of the human brain, allowing us to disentangling normal and pathological variation, in particular, within autism spectrum disorder. The study of neuroanatomical diversity relies on massive datasets with clinical, behavioural and cognitive data, whole-genome genotyping, and magnetic resonance imaging data for tens of thousands of individuals.