Researchers at the Jülich Research Centre in Germany are embarking on a groundbreaking project to simulate the human brain using advanced supercomputer technology. Following the successful mapping of a fruit fly’s brain circuitry in 2024, the team is now focusing on creating a model that mimics the complexities of the human brain, a significant leap in computational neuroscience.
The fruit fly’s brain, though tiny, comprises nearly 500 feet of wiring and 54.5 million synapses, showcasing the potential of computational neurology. Building on this achievement, the Jülich researchers aim to integrate multiple models of smaller brain regions with the powerful JUPITER supercomputer to simulate billions of neurons firing simultaneously. JUPITER is recognized as the fourth most powerful supercomputer globally, boasting thousands of graphical processing units.
Under the leadership of neurophysics professor Markus Diesmann, the team has recently demonstrated the capability to scale a “spiking neural network” on JUPITER, effectively matching the cerebral cortex’s 20 billion neurons and 100 trillion connections. This advancement could provide new insights into the functioning of large neural networks, which have been shown to operate differently from smaller configurations.
While the prospect of simulating a human brain offers exciting possibilities, experts caution that such models will only scratch the surface of understanding this complex organ. As Thomas Nowotny, a mathematical physics professor at the University of Sussex, pointed out, “We can’t actually build brains. Even if we can make simulations of the size of a brain, we can’t make simulations of the brain.”
The ambitious endeavor follows previous initiatives like the Human Brain Project, which struggled to deliver significant results despite substantial funding. The Jülich team believes that advances in technology and a refined approach may help them overcome these challenges.
As the project progresses, the implications for neuroscience and artificial intelligence could be profound. If successful, this simulation may enhance our understanding of brain function, potentially leading to advancements in treating neurological disorders or developing brain-computer interfaces.
Overall, while the road ahead remains complex, the Jülich Research Centre’s initiative marks a pivotal step towards unraveling the mysteries of the human brain.