Current+Problems

The following is a list of the some of the problems and issues that we face with respect to preservation of neuroanatomical databases as compiled by Harvey Karten.

The Value and Utility of Neuroanatomical Collections
Although many scientists recognize the inherent value of these collections of material, many others and the general public do not. Some of the collections include a wide array of rare or endangered species, rare or unusual neurological diseases and, in some cases, even extinct species. One of the main goals of this international network is to publicize the importance of these collections to understanding the function and evolution of the brain as well as epidemiology, etiology of neurological disease and neural development.

Inventory of Various Brain Collections
Another one of our goals is simply an inventory of what people have worldwide. Despite the global interconnectedness that the internet has provided, rarely do neuroscientists know what is going on in the lab next door, never mind a brain collection at the other end of the globe. We have an initial list, but details regarding what is and is not in these collections still needs to be compiled, including the quality of the sections and/or brains.

Digitizing Brain Collections
Our third goal is to digitize the various brain collections as a means of readily transferring and sharing neuroanatomical information across an international network as well as the general public. There are several slide scanner currently available, the most popular ones being those made by Olympus and Aperio. Purchasing slide scanners is only one aspect of creating this virtual collection of neuroanatomical information. Other issues include:
 * what to do with slides of variable thickness
 * how to scan slides larger than 2" x 3"
 * standardizing methods of visualization. Most collections are used for brightfield work, but what about fluorescence?
 * scan times for entire serially sectioned brains can be long and therefore tedious
 * standardization of a file type (tif, jpg2000, nanozoomer file, etc.)
 * data should be interchangeable with other databases
 * massive storage requirements (TB are insufficient)
 * is one website sufficient (e.g., BrainMaps.org) with links to other sites or should everything be centrally located?

Funding, Funding, Funding
As with all major scientific endeavors, the biggest problem that we face is how best to fund this network. There are no global funding agencies that will provide all of the necessary resources needed to supply the technicians, hardware and software that we require. Any and all ideas regarding funding opportunities and sources are therefore greatly appreciated. Currently, we plan on investigating the possibility of local funding for hardware (i.e., slide scanners) at labs in Canada and the U.S.A. as well as private funding from several sources.