An Online Platform for Learning Neuroanatomy from Neural Connectivity

本计划旨在为国家利益服务，开发并测试基于网络的基于神经连接的神经解剖学教学平台。了解功能神经解剖学是越来越多的本科生参加神经科学课程的基础。与此同时，脑成像的新技术正在导致神经科学研究的范式转变，从关注个体大脑结构转向研究神经网络和连接。这个“参与式学生学习1级”项目将促进本科神经解剖学教育的修订，以适应当前神经科学研究的范式转变。交互式3D查看器将帮助学生可视化和理解大脑区域之间的功能和结构关系，心理上有效的训练计划将作为当前神经科学教科书的多媒体伴侣。通过使用神经连接将大脑结构与彼此和有意义的功能联系起来，该项目将为本科生提供神经解剖学的基础资源和功能相关视角，使他们更好地为快速发展的技术所塑造的医学和研究领域不断变化的工作场所做好准备。该项目旨在开发和测试一个基于网络的平台，该平台使用神经连接数据来提高学生对神经解剖学的学习。目标1（发展技术）将包括三个组成部分。开发1将修改和扩展一个名为“Show Me the Brain!!”的交互式图形软件系统。（SMtB），包括全面的3D白质纤维束模型，可视化神经连接。扩散加权（DTI）图像和神经元追踪数据将用于生成白质通路的3D模型，该模型将与基于冷冻切片和高分辨率结构MRI的解剖模型完全集成。开发2将创建并测试SMtB的扩展，称为Build-A-Brain，用于配置连接网络。通过与Build-A-Brain互动，学生将选择他们想要学习的大脑区域，并将被自动引导到白质束，将它们组织成功能网络。建议的网络将基于一个大脑网络数据库，在这个数据库中，大脑区域的排列集合通过白质通路和经验报告的功能和应用联系在一起。开发3将建立一个开源社区，用于SMtB、build - a - brain和未来的平台扩展的持续反馈和改进。目标2（评估学习）将包括一系列四个学期的实验，其中SMtB和Build-A-Brain将同时用于学生的学习和数据收集。这些实验将遵循现有的高度控制的基于课堂的协议，以评估基于连接的训练对本科生的保留、转移和批判性思维的影响。这些实验的实证结果将为SMtB和Build-A-Brain平台提供信息和改进。NSF IUSE: EDU项目支持研究和开发项目，以提高所有学生STEM教育的有效性。通过参与学生学习轨道，该计划支持有前途的实践和工具的创建，探索和实施。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This project aims to serve the national interest by developing and testing a web-based platform for neuroanatomy instruction based on neural connections. Understanding functional neuroanatomy is foundational to the rising number of undergraduates enrolled in neuroscience courses. At the same time, new techniques for brain imaging are leading to a paradigm shift in neuroscience research from focusing on individual brain structures to investigating neural networks and connections. This Engaged Student Learning Level 1 project will facilitate a revision in undergraduate neuroanatomy education to parallel the current paradigm shift in neuroscience research. An interactive 3D viewer will help students visualize and understand functional and structural relationships among brain areas, and psychologically validated training programs will serve as multimedia companions to current neuroscience textbooks. By using neural connectivity to associate brain structures with one another and meaningful functions, this project will provide undergraduates with a foundational resource and a functionally relevant perspective on neuroanatomy that better prepares them for a changing workplace in medicine and research shaped by quickly advancing technology.This project aims to develop and test a web-based platform that uses neural connectivity data to improve student learning of neuroanatomy. Aim 1 (Develop Technology) will include three components. Development 1 will revise and expand an interactive graphical software system called Show Me the Brain!! (SMtB) to include comprehensive 3D models of white-matter fiber tracts that visualize neural connections. Diffusion-weighted (DTI) images and neuronal tracing data will be used to generate 3D models of white-matter pathways that fully integrate with anatomical models based on cryosections and high-resolution structural MRI. Development 2 will create and test an extension to SMtB called Build-A-Brain for configuring connectivity networks. By interacting with Build-A-Brain, students will choose the brain areas they want to learn and will be automatically directed to white-matter tracts to organize them into functional networks. Suggested networks will be based on a database of brain networks in which permuted collections of brain areas are linked by white-matter pathways and empirically reported functions and applications. Development 3 will build an open-source community for continuous feedback and improvement of SMtB, Build-A-Brain, and future platform extensions. Aim 2 (Evaluate Learning) will include a series of four semester-long experiments in which SMtB and Build-A-Brain will be used simultaneously for student learning and data collection. These experiments will follow an existing highly controlled classroom-based protocol to evaluate the retention, transfer, and critical-thinking effects of connectivity-based training for undergraduates. Empirical findings from these experiments will inform and improve the SMtB and Build-A-Brain platforms. The NSF IUSE: EDU Program supports research and development projects to improve the effectiveness of STEM education for all students. Through the Engaged Student Learning track, the program supports the creation, exploration, and implementation of promising practices and tools.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.