Topological principles and developmental algorithms might refine diffusion tractography

The identification and reconstruction of axonal pathways in the living brain or “ex-vivo” is promising a revolution in connectivity studies bridging the gap from animal to human neuroanatomy with extensions to brain structural–functional correlates. Unfortunately, the methods suffer from juvenile drawbacks. In this perspective paper we mention several computational and developmental principles, which might stimulate a new generation of algorithms and a discussion bridging the neuroimaging and neuroanatomy communities.