MCTrace RRID:SCR_016532
MCTrace is a program for skeletonized model building and refinement with a graphical user interface. It consists of over 50,000 lines of custom source code in C++ and uses DirectX 9.0 API. MCTrace executable is available from the Releases pane of the repository homepage.
Neuronal circuits, which are essential for brain functions, are built up by neurons as a 3D network, so tracing the 3D neuronal network of brain is the first step to understanding the mechanism of brain functions. We demonstrated that a skeletonized model of neuronal processes can be built by tracing the 3D coefficient map. An example of the obtained network model of human brain tissue using MCTrace is shown left. In this process, the 3D image was converted into 3D Cartesian coordinates by model building. The 3D coordinates are easier to handle than the image itself, making it possible to analyze the geometry of brain network. The entire 3D network of fly brain hemisphere appeared in MIT Technology Review were built with this software.
License
MCTrace is provided under the BSD 2-Clause License.
References
- R. Saiga et al. (2025). Structural differences between human and mouse neurons and their implementation in generative AIs. Sci. Rep. 15, 25091. DOI
- R. Mizutani et al (2021). Structural diverseness of neurons between brain areas and between cases. Transl. Psychiatry 11, 49. DOI pdf
- R. Mizutaniet al (2019). Three-dimensional alteration of neurites in schizophrenia. Transl. Psychiatry 9, 85. DOI arXiv
- First 3-D Map of a Fruit Fly’s Brain Network. MIT Technology Review (Sep 16, 2016). link
- R. Mizutani et al (2013). Three-dimensional network of Drosophila brain hemisphere. J. Struct. Biol. 184(2), 271-279. DOI PubMed arXiv
- R. Mizutani et al (2010). Microtomographic analysis of neuronal circuits of human brain. Cerebral Cortex 20(7), 1739-1748. DOI PubMed </ul> ## Release notes MCTrace executable 'kozo---.exe' is available from the Releases pane of the repository homepage. This page was previously posted in our lab site and moved from there in 2016.
- Build-250805. A minor debug in the TIFF reading routine.
- Build Jan-16-2023. Executables compiled with VS2008 and VS2017 are both available.
- Build Dec-25-2020. Functions including those for the analysis of vessel strucrures were implemented.
- v3.8.0 (21 Mar 2018). Many functions including improved auto-tracing, structure annoation, geometry analysis, and SWC file loading routines were implemented. You can use MCTrace to view SWC files, such as those available from NeuroMorpho.Org.
- v3.5.0 (6 Jan 2017) Routines for Bluetooth Dials were implemented.
- v3.4.1 (2 Nov 2016). Bug fix release.
- v3.4.0 (built 1 Apr 2016). Many functions including those for the left-hand mouse were implemented.
- v3.2.8 (built 27 May 2013). x64 platform is now supported. Functions for crystallographic analysis were disabled and not supported from this release.
- v2.2.1 (relesed 6 Dec 2010). Graphics are accelerated with DirectX libraries. Functions for microtomographic analysis were thoroughly updated.
- v2.0.2 (released 9 Jun 2009). Functions for tomographic analysis were implemented.
- v1.0.2 (released 9 Jan 2007). Cut, copy and paste functions were debugged. Refinement dialog was updated. Users now can specify regions to be refined.
- v1.0.1 (released 12 Dec 2006). Cut, copy and paste functions were implemented. Exponential subroutine was replaced with a custom one. This makes the structure factor calculation over three times faster than before.
- v1.0.0 is released (12 Nov 2006).
- System requirements MCTrace runs on most of Windows laptop and desktop PCs.
- Manuals We have no manuals appropriate for the current version.
Linkedin - YouTube