That allowed the scientists to build a personalized map between dream contents and brain activity for each person. The two halves join at a large, deep sulcus (the interhemispheric fissure, AKA the medial longitudinal fissure) that runs from the front of the head to the back. The right hemisphere controls the left side of the body, and the left half controls the right side of the body. The two halves communicate with one another through a large, C-shaped structure of white matter and nerve pathways called the corpus callosum. The cerebral hemispheres are separated by a deep groove, the longitudinal cerebral fissure.
The brains’ workarounds sparked an arms race that Javier ultimately lost. The neural engineers would find new brain signals that more reliably mapped to driving safety; the drivers’ brains would soon learn a way to get around it. That expensive, time-consuming loop ran for two years before Javier finally got sacked. Advances in tractography — the study of the physical connections among groups of nerve cells — are pointing to which parts of these neural highways could be targeted to deal with certain problems.
A study conducted at the University of Toronto of 482 DBS patients over 15 years, for instance, has shown how electrical stimulation of certain spots have predictable ripple effects elsewhere in the brain. The cerebrum (front of brain) comprises gray matter (the cerebral cortex) and white matter at its center. The largest part of the brain, the cerebrum initiates and coordinates movement and regulates temperature. Other areas of the cerebrum enable speech, judgment, thinking and reasoning, problem-solving, emotions and learning. Coating the surface of the cerebrum and the cerebellum is a vital layer of tissue the thickness of a stack of two or three dimes. Most of the actual information processing in the brain takes place in the cerebral cortex.
And we can allow ourselves a moment of wonder at what might come next. The circle of Willis, a loop of blood vessels near the bottom of the brain that connects major arteries, circulates blood from the front of the brain to the back and helps the arterial systems communicate with one another. The vertebral arteries follow the spinal column into the skull, where they join together at the brainstem and form the basilar artery, which supplies blood to the rear portions of the brain. Gray matter is primarily responsible for processing and interpreting information, while white matter transmits that information to other parts of the nervous system. Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.
We may never understand brains in the way we understand rainbows, or black holes, or DNA. Cortex is Latin for “bark,” and describes the outer gray matter covering of the cerebrum. The cortex has a large surface area due to its folds, and comprises about half of the brain’s weight. Gray matter is primarily composed of neuron somas (the round central cell bodies), and white matter is mostly made of axons (the long stems that connects neurons together) wrapped in myelin (a protective coating). The different composition of neuron parts is why the two appear as separate shades on certain scans.
Doctors knew that certain brain injuries caused specific problems, like loss of speech or vision. Anatomists had identified nerve cells, or neurons, as key components of the brain and nervous system. Researchers have created the largest atlas of human brain cells so far, revealing more than 3,000 cell types — many of which are new to science.
**Brain science** is a rapidly evolving field that seeks to understand the complexities of the human brain. From how we think and feel to our behaviors and actions, **brain science** plays a crucial role in unlocking the mysteries of the mind.
The Importance of Brain Science
Brain science helps us gain insights into various neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and schizophrenia. By studying the brain’s structure and function, researchers can develop better treatments and interventions for these conditions.
How Does Brain Science Impact Everyday Life?
- Understanding how the brain processes information can improve learning and memory.
- Advancements in brain science have led to the development of new technologies such as brain-computer interfaces.
- Research in brain science has also shed light on mental health disorders and addiction, leading to more effective treatment strategies.
Overall, **brain science** holds the key to unlocking the potential of the human brain and improving our quality of life.
