The ascending arousal network (AAN) is a subcortical neural network that is critical to consciousness. To date, the majority of studies investigating AAN connectivity have utilized animal models. As a result, current knowledge about the connectivity of the human AAN is largely based upon extrapolations from animal data.  We created an AAN atlas to facilitate research into the structural and functional connectivity of the human AAN. The study of AAN "connectomics" has the potential to increase knowledge about arousal physiology in the human brain, as well as arousal pathology in neurological diseases, such as coma and other disorders of consciousness.

More information about the Harvard Ascending Arousal Network Atlas can be found at https://datadryad.org/stash/dataset/doi:10.5061/dryad.zw3r228d2. In addition, regions of interest for AAN nuclei in MNI152 space can be downloaded at this site.

Edlow BL, Mareyam A, Horn A, Polimeni JR, Witzel T, Tisdall MD, Augustinack J, Stockmann JP, Diamond BR, Stevens A, Tirrell LS, Folkerth RD, Wald LL, Fischl B*, van der Kouwe A*.  7 Tesla MRI of the ex vivo human brain at 100 micron resolution. Scientific Data. 2019;6:244. (*co-senior authors). PMCID pending. [PubMed] [Altmetric - Scientific Data] [Altmetric - bioRxiv] [OpenNeuro] [Dryad Digital Repository] [Biolucida] [YouTube]

Edlow BL, Takahashi E, Wu O, Benner T, Dai G, Bu L, Grant PE, Greer DM, Greenberg SM, Kinney HC, Folkerth RD. Neuroanatomic connectivity of the human ascending arousal system critical to consciousness and its disorders. Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology. 2012;71:531-546.  PMCID PMC3387430. [PubMed] [Altmetric]

Edlow BL*, McNab JA*, Witzel T, Kinney HC. The structural connectome of the human central homeostatic network. Brain Connectivity. 2016;6:187-200. (*co-first authors) PMCID PMC4827322. [PubMed]