New! Sign up for our free email newsletter.
Reference Terms
from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Human brain

The human brain is the most complex organ in the body and the control center of the nervous system. Weighing about three pounds and composed of approximately 86 billion neurons, it governs every aspect of thought, emotion, behavior, and bodily function. Protected by the skull and suspended in cerebrospinal fluid, the brain processes sensory information, coordinates movement, regulates internal systems, and enables learning, memory, language, and consciousness.

The brain is divided into several major regions, each with specialized roles. The cerebrum, the largest part, is responsible for higher cognitive functions like reasoning, problem-solving, and voluntary movement. It is divided into left and right hemispheres and further into lobes that handle vision, touch, hearing, and decision-making. The cerebellum, located beneath the cerebrum, helps coordinate balance and precise motor control. The brainstem connects the brain to the spinal cord and regulates vital functions such as breathing, heart rate, and sleep.

The brain communicates through a vast network of neurons, which transmit electrical and chemical signals via synapses. Supporting these neurons are glial cells, which provide structural support, nutrition, and protection. This intricate system allows the brain to integrate information from the environment, make decisions, and generate responses in real time.

The human brain is also remarkably adaptable. Through a process called neuroplasticity, it can reorganize itself by forming new neural connections in response to learning, injury, or experience. This adaptability is key to development, recovery, and cognitive flexibility throughout life.

Understanding the brain remains one of science’s greatest challenges. Advances in neuroscience and neuroimaging continue to uncover how the brain functions in health and disease, offering insights into conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, stroke, epilepsy, and mental illness. As research progresses, the human brain remains both a marvel of biology and a frontier of scientific discovery.

Related Stories
 


Health & Medicine News

August 3, 2026

Low arginine levels may allow cancer cells and viruses to slip past the immune system by reducing production of a crucial cellular warning protein. In mice, arginine-rich diets led to fewer colon tumors and milder viral infections, suggesting a ...
Scientists have identified a molecular switch that may help explain why aging makes the brain more vulnerable to diseases such as ALS and Huntington’s. In worms, the protein EPS8 builds up with age and triggers signaling that encourages toxic ...
Vanderbilt researchers created the first selective compound designed to inhibit TAOK-1, a poorly understood protein connected to Alzheimer’s disease. They also discovered a second compound that activates the entire TAOK protein family, offering ...
Scientists have figured out how two famously poisonous plants create chemicals with surprising medical potential. After tracking thousands of genes in wolfsbane and larkspur, they identified six enzymes needed to build a complex compound called ...
A protein once thought to mainly protect chromosome ends may also be essential for keeping muscle stem cells ready to repair injuries. Researchers found that TRF2 helps these cells maintain their identity and coordinate the cycle of rest, repair, ...
A surprisingly small dose of exercise may deliver major health benefits for adults carrying excess fat around the waist. In a four-month trial involving 315 adults with central obesity, researchers found that completing 75 minutes of brisk interval ...
A sweeping review of more than 350 studies suggests that the protein boom may be overselling what many people actually need. Eating less protein appears to improve metabolism, reduce inflammation and cellular damage, and activate pathways linked to ...
Cancer cells rely on powerful genetic switches to keep growth genes running at full speed, but that intense activity can damage their own DNA. The resulting breaks are repeatedly repaired, sometimes with small mistakes that allow new mutations to ...
A daily avocado may help lower heart disease risk in adults with obesity by reducing the number of LDL particles circulating in the blood. After six months, participants who ate an avocado each day experienced a decline associated with an estimated ...
Scientists have identified an immune response that may explain why statins cause muscle pain, weakness, and exercise intolerance in some people. The finding could eventually lead to treatments that protect muscles while preserving the drugs’ ...
Blood cancers that eventually worsen may carry detectable genetic warning signs years before patients develop serious symptoms. The findings could lead to earlier intervention while also helping doctors distinguish true cancer from harmless ...
A gene involved in the brain’s overnight cleaning system may change how strongly poor sleep affects Alzheimer’s-related brain changes. The findings point toward more personalized prevention strategies based on both genetics and sleep ...

Latest Headlines

updated 12:56 pm ET