This largest-ever map of the human brain could change how we study it


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Scientists have built an enormous atlas of the human brain that could help them chart a path toward preventing and treating many different neurological disorders.

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imaginima/Getty images

Scientists have built an enormous atlas of the human brain that could help them chart a path toward preventing and treating many different neurological disorders.

imaginima/Getty images

The human brain has 170 BILLION cells. And scientists have discovered more than 3,000 different brain cells types. A new, largest-of-its-kind map of these cells 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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Science question on your brain? Email us at [email protected].

This episode was produced by Berly McCoy and edited by Rebecca Ramirez. Jon Hamilton checked the facts and Maggie Luthar was the audio engineer.

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