Scientist Just Made The Largest Brain Map Ever

Short Wave

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🗓️ 27 October 2023

⏱️ 12 minutes

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Summary

The human brain has more than 170 billion cells. A newly published atlas offers the most detailed maps yet of the location, structure and, in some cases, function of more than 3,000 types of brain cells. The atlas could help scientists understand what makes humans unique in the animal kingdom and the roles different brain cells play in disease. Science correspondent Jon Hamilton talks to host Regina G. Barber about the findings from this new map, a product of the NIH's BRAIN initiative. Plus, what the heck splatter neurons have to do with all of this!

Read Jon's full story here.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	You're listening to Shortwave from NPR.
0:05.4	Hey, Sharwhavers.
0:06.4	Regina Barber here.
0:07.4	Today, we're going to talk about maps, but not the kind that you use to drive to that
0:11.4	restaurant everyone's been talking about.
0:13.4	These maps are helping scientists navigate the human brain.
0:16.8	So we've summoned NPR's own wannabe brain cartographer, science correspondent John Hamilton.
0:21.8	Hey, John.
0:22.8	Hey.
0:23.8	What kind of brain maps are we talking about?
0:25.3	I mean, do they show where my neuroses live?
0:27.7	Not exactly.
0:29.5	These maps are part of a new atlas that shows where to find different types of cells in
0:34.1	the brain.
0:35.1	That might sound pretty straightforward, but a human brain actually has more than 170
0:40.2	billion cells.
0:42.3	And so far, scientists have identified more than 3,000 different types.
0:46.6	Oh, OK.
0:47.6	You know, you have cells that help you wiggle your toes and other types of cells that
0:51.6	help you process what you see in here and other ones that even help you ponder things
0:55.6	like the nature of consciousness.
0:57.6	Mm-hmm.
	...

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