Google DeepMind and Harvard University researchers have developed a realistic virtual rat to study the neural circuits that control movement. The virtual rat's brain, made up of artificial neural networks, was trained using hours of neural recordings from real rats.

This digital brain could predict and replicate the behaviour of actual rats, such as running or rearing up. The study identified key brain regions involved in movement and demonstrated that AI can simulate neural signals more accurately than older models.

Bridging the gap between AI and neuroscience, the project offers new ways to study brain functions and movements. However, this method allows researchers to tweak neural connections in the virtual rat to observe how changes affect behaviour, providing insights that are challenging to obtain through traditional lab experiments. By understanding how the brain commands muscle movements, the research could lead to advancements in both robotics and neuroscience.

Offering a platform to test hypotheses about brain function and behaviour quickly and efficiently, the virtual rat enables researchers to explore more complex tasks. The team plans to use these virtual rats to understand further how real brains generate intricate behaviours. Combining AI with biological data, the collaboration highlights the potential to uncover the mechanisms of brain function and movement.