Nerve fibers in the brain form an orderly network

2012/03/30 Etxebeste Aduriz, Egoitz - Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Anatomia/Fisiologia

Behind the turbulent appearance of the brain is a geometric and orderly network structure, as demonstrated by a work published today by the journal Science. Advanced magnetic resonance imaging techniques have revealed that the brain has a simple structure composed basically of parallel and perpendicular nerve fibers. These fibers cross each other like the fibers of a fabric.

A new magnetic resonance technique allows obtaining the image of all the fibers that cross at one point. This technique has studied the brain structure of man and four other primates, finding in all cases a very similar structure. In the case of humans, they have been able to see 25% of the network, since the central structure is hidden by the folds. However, researchers have announced that they will soon be able to see 75% with a new scanner.