Brain structure and functions are highly complex. Over the past century or so, studies in this field were largely carried out at microscopic (molecular or cellular) level. With the deepening of the studies, however, people have realized that the brain is a multiplayer system and its studies should be conducted from various scales. Therefore, since the late 20th century, it has been another important trend to examine the integrated functions of the brain from macroscopic and systematic levels. In recent years, the development of various new technologies (such as magnetic resonance and optical imaging) have made it possible to perform the in vivo detection of information about the global cerebral structure and functions of the brains of both humans and animals. New technological advances and research discoveries prompt us to understand brain research from a new perspective, which requires us to give new connotation to the studies. Therefore, the brain research has received increasing attention. Human connetome studies could enable us to systematically examine brain structure and functions from a variety of spatial and temporal scales and analyze the mechanism underlying internal signal transduction of the brain by using various indicators. It will be an effective approach to the studies of the complicated process of information exchanges and effective organizational structure within the brain. We believe that as a convergent research topic of informatics, neural science and clinical medicine, studies of brain networks will play even greater role in the future.

Under the theme of "Frontiers in Brainnetome and its Applications in Brain Disorders," the 393rd session of XSSC was held from April 13 to 15 at the Xiangshan Hotel in Beijing. Its objectives were to facilitate the leapfrog development from brain connectome to brainnetome, establish a domestic consortium for brainnetome research and promote the interdisciplinary studies and cooperation among informatics, neural sciences and clinical medicine. Experts and scholars from various disciplines were invited to have an in-depth discussion on: (1) Progress and prospects of animal brain connectome; (2) Progress and prospects of human brain connectome; (3) Progress and prospects of brain atlas (4) Brain networks of psychiatric disorders.

Executive Co-chairs:
JIANG Tianzi, research professor, the CAS Institute of Automation
GUO Aike, research professor, the CAS Institute of Neuroscience
LUO Qingming, professor, Hua Zhong University of Science and Technology

Keynote Review Report
Brain network research and its clinical application: status quo, opportunities and challenges
JIANG Tianzi

Reports on Central Topics

• Microscopic brain atlas: status quo, opportunities and challenges
  GONG Hui
• Human Connectome Project
  David van Essen
• Comparison of Techniques for High-resolution Atlas of the Mouse Brain
  LUO Qingming
• Methods for brain network analysis and its application in the studies of psychiatric disorders
  FAN Yong