Long-range axonal connections in the human brain constitute the fundamental structural substrate supporting communication among functionally specialized cortical and subcortical regions. Despite major advances in delineating the functional roles of individual brain areas, a comprehensive wiring diagram of the human brain remains elusive, largely owing to persistent technological constraints. This talk will provide an overview of reviews recent methodological advances in neuroscience (encompassing novel measurement technologies alongside substantial progress in data processing, visualization, and analytical frameworks), which collectively suggest that mapping human brain connectivity at the mesoscale, defined as the level of interacting neuronal populations and their axonal projections, has become increasingly attainable. We analyze the principal scientific and technical challenges associated with constructing such wiring diagrams, outline viable strategies for addressing these challenges, and articulate the scientific rationale for pursuing this effort. Particular emphasis is placed on recent progress toward developing in vivo models of the wiring architecture of the human visual system and on the integration of artificial intelligence that together are likely to accelerate knowledge accumulation and advance mechanistic understanding of brain function in both healthy and pathological conditions.

Learning Objectives:

1. Classify how the visual system is organized in humans

2. Discuss the challenges of scaling up neuroscience techniques to map connections in entire human brains

3. Explain the importance of brain connectivity for health and disease