We're looking through a microscope at neural tissue going down through an area of the brain called the medial prefrontal cortex.

我們正通過顯微鏡觀察神經組織在大腦中一個名為內側前額葉皮層的區域內的下行情況。

We can use these microscopic images to reconstruct the three-dimensional layout of the neurons and really see the intricate and intertwining patterns that they make.

我們可以利用這些顯微影像重建神經元的三維佈局，真正看到神經元錯綜複雜的交織模式。

These connectivity patterns throughout the brain underlie all neural function and are responsible for everything from controlling your muscles when you tie your shoes to how you feel about your family.

這些遍佈大腦的連接模式是所有神經功能的基礎，從你係鞋帶時控制肌肉到你對家人的感覺，這些功能都由它們負責。

Understanding these patterns is a massive ongoing project for neuroscientists everywhere and could lead to breakthroughs for everything from consciousness to depressive disorders and schizophrenia.

對於世界各地的神經科學家來說，瞭解這些模式是一項巨大的持續項目，可能會為從意識到抑鬱症和精神分裂症等各種疾病帶來突破。

In this example, we injected purple dye into a far distant brain region called the amygdala, which is largely where our emotions and feelings of fear are generated.

在這個例子中，我們將紫色染料注射到一個叫做杏仁核的遙遠腦區，我們的情緒和恐懼感主要就是從這裡產生的。

The purple wires are axons or connections coming from the amygdala into this area.

紫色的線是從杏仁核進入該區域的軸突或連接線。

We've also used some recent advancements in genetic engineering to select only the neurons inside this region that connects to the amygdala and dive in green.

我們還利用基因工程的一些最新進展，只選擇了這一區域內與杏仁核相連的神經元，並用綠色潛水。

By combining both the green and purple dyes, we're able to see the full circuit of connections, viewing both the neurons that connect to the amygdala and connections coming back in from the amygdala.

通過同時使用綠色和紫色染料，我們可以看到整個連接回路，既能看到連接到杏仁核的神經元，也能看到從杏仁核返回的神經元。

The locations and patterns of the neural connections called synapses show us how heavily these two groups of neurons are connected.

被稱為突觸的神經連接的位置和模式向我們展示了這兩組神經元的連接程度。

To help us start to understand the incredible complexity of these neural networks, we develop computational techniques that segment or isolate individual neurons.

為了幫助我們開始瞭解這些神經網絡令人難以置信的複雜性，我們開發了分割或分離單個神經元的計算技術。

By isolating a neuron, we can measure its characteristics like size, shape, how many branches it has.

通過分離神經元，我們可以測量其特徵，如大小、形狀、分支數量等。

and what general type of neuron it is.

以及它是哪種類型的神經元。

This may not seem like much, but it's really important for understanding so much about the brain. For instance, we know that malnutrition, stress, and cognitive disorders can all change how these branches look, but there are so many details that we don't know.

這看似不起眼，但對於瞭解大腦的許多知識卻非常重要。例如，我們知道營養不良、壓力和認知障礙都會改變這些分支的外觀，但我們不知道的細節還有很多。

That's why we, as scientists, keep pushing the envelope.

這就是為什麼我們作為科學家，要不斷推陳出新的原因。

To tackle these very complicated questions, we are getting together and combining fields ranging from physics and biology to mathematics and computer science.

為了解決這些非常複雜的問題，我們聚集在一起，將物理學、生物學、數學和計算機科學等領域結合起來。

Every year, every day, we learn so much more.

每一年，每一天，我們都能學到更多。

This is the most exciting and progressive time for neuroscience that there has ever been.

這是神經科學有史以來最激動人心、最進步的時刻。