Mapping model units to visual neurons reveals population code for social behaviour. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38778103/)

These scientists wanted to understand how animals' brains process what they see and how they move in response. They created a computer model that mimics how a brain might work. To make sure their model was accurate, they did experiments on real fruit flies.

They trained their computer model to predict how different types of brain cells in the fruit flies would change the flies' behavior. They did this by 'knocking out' certain parts of the model and comparing it to when they did the same thing to the real fruit flies.

They focused on how male fruit flies interact with female fruit flies based on what they see. They found that different combinations of brain cells, not just the ones related to social behaviors, were important for the males to interact with females.

By doing this study, the scientists created a map that shows how what animals see is connected to different brain cells and how they behave. This can help us understand how animals' brains are wired and how they make decisions.

Cowley BR., Calhoun AJ., Rangarajan N., Ireland E., Turner MH., Pillow JW., Murthy M. Mapping model units to visual neurons reveals population code for social behaviour. Nature. 2024 May 22. doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-07451-8.