UMSOM Unveils Groundbreaking Neocortical Development Map

Pioneering database helps scientists make major discoveries about brain development and disease

Mar. 26, 2026 at 3:04am

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Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) have developed a revolutionary database called NeMO Analytics that combines multiomic data from 188 different studies to provide unprecedented insights into the layer-by-layer and cell-by-cell development of the neocortex. This publicly accessible database is enabling scientists to make groundbreaking discoveries about the brain and disease development by using vast amounts of human, non-human primate, mouse, and organoid data.

Why it matters

The neocortex is a critical part of the brain that processes sensory information, language, memory, and consciousness. Changes in neocortical development can impact the risk for many brain disorders, including autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia. Understanding the molecular mechanisms behind neocortical development is crucial for developing earlier detection, targeted treatments, and even preventive approaches for these devastating brain diseases.

The details

The research team analyzed gene-level data from 30-million single-cell transcriptomes, spatial transcriptomes, and RNA sequencing from sorted cells and bulk tissue to identify shared patterns of gene activity. They discovered that while mouse cortical development is complete within months, neurons in humans take many years to reach full molecular maturity. Additionally, they found that in brain organoids, which mimic early brain development, neurons do not fully develop into cells specific to the individual layers of the neocortex.

  • The study is part of a collection of papers on human brain development published in Nature and Nature Neuroscience in 2026.

The players

Carlo Colantuoni

A Research Associate at the Institute for Genome Sciences (IGS) and UMSOM's Department of Neurology, as well as an Adjunct at Johns Hopkins University's School of Medicine. He is the senior author of the study.

Mark Gladwin

The Dean of the University of Maryland School of Medicine, the Vice President for Medical Affairs at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and the John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor.

Seth Ament

A co-author on the study, an IGS faculty member, and an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at UMSOM.

Institute for Genome Sciences (IGS)

A research institute that has been part of the University of Maryland School of Medicine since 2007, focusing on diverse areas of genomics and systems biology research.

University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM)

A leading academic medical center located in Baltimore, Maryland, known for its innovative research and education programs.

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What they’re saying

“One of the key discoveries in this study is that brain disorders aren't just caused by missing or faulty genes—they can also result from how genes are turned on or off during brain development.”

— Mark Gladwin, Dean, University of Maryland School of Medicine

“The ability to integrate and analyze so many types of data at once within NeMO Analytics allows scientists to map patterns, discover features unique to human brain development, and track how disruptions, such as inflammation or epigenetic changes, could cause brain diseases.”

— Seth Ament, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine

What’s next

The researchers plan to continue expanding the NeMO Analytics database and use it to further investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying brain development and disorders.

The takeaway

The groundbreaking NeMO Analytics database developed at UMSOM is revolutionizing our understanding of the neocortex, a critical brain region, and paving the way for earlier detection, targeted treatments, and even preventive approaches for devastating brain diseases.