Allen Reference Atlas. A Digital Color Brain Atlas of the C57BL/6J Male Mouse ‐ by H. W. Dong

Abstract

This resource provides users with a meticulously selected and complied collection of key information from the Web-based Allen Brain Atlas, the online mouse brain anatomical atlas and gene expression database (www.brain-map.org). Including both coronal and sagittal mouse brain sectional views, these finely detailed brain map images have been chosen for maximum utility and information content, and are presented as full-color plates on pages with corresponding text labels and lists of selected genetic markers. Every brain structure annotated in the Atlas is assigned a distinct color based on its hierarchical position in the brain, which not only provides visual effects to emphasize brain organization, but also facilitates unique definition and segmentation, which is critical to informatics processing and computer-generated 3D reconstruction in the online Allen Brain Atlas. In addition, more than 80 genes showing unique expression patterns in the brain were selected and are presented with the brain map images as molecular markers, for substantially increasing the accuracy of brain structure delineations. Also included are extremely useful text materials such as annotated nomenclature tables, comprehensive indices, lists of abbreviations, and a thorough and up-to-date bibliography. A free accompanying CD-ROM contains all of the atlas images in a black-and-white format.