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

July 10, 2026

Scientists have redesigned a key piece of MRI hardware using metamaterials, allowing existing scanners to produce clearer images of difficult-to-see parts of the body in less time. The breakthrough could improve diagnoses, make scans more ...
A naturally occurring bacterium from amphibian intestines completely eliminated colorectal tumors in mice with a single treatment by both attacking cancer cells and activating the immune system. The findings point to a promising new type of cancer ...
Scientists found that a modified Mediterranean-style diet with low protein and just enough methionine helped mice live healthier lives while reducing body fat and frailty. Human data also linked lower animal protein intake to lower rates of obesity ...
A new study debunks the long-standing claim that baby rattlesnakes are more dangerous than adults. Researchers found that young rattlesnakes can control their venom just like adults, while adult snakes usually inject much more venom and cause more ...
Researchers found that mRNA cancer vaccines can recruit an unexpected immune cell to launch powerful tumor-fighting responses, overturning a long-held assumption about how the vaccines work. The discovery could lead to more effective cancer vaccines ...
A surprising discovery is reshaping scientists' understanding of how humans develop sharp central vision before birth. Instead of blue cone cells migrating away from the retina's center, the study found they transform into red and green cones under ...
Poison control calls involving semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy) soared after the drug was approved for weight management, with researchers linking the increase to accidental dosing mistakes rather than intentional misuse. Simple education about ...
Scientists have created a silicon chip that can write dozens of DNA sequences simultaneously using electricity and water-based enzymes, offering a cleaner alternative to conventional DNA manufacturing. The breakthrough could eventually support ...
Tiny silica nanoparticles engineered to seek out prostate cancer caused tumor cells to self-destruct and supercharged the immune system in preclinical mouse studies. Combined with immunotherapy, the treatment produced complete remissions in multiple ...
Researchers have cracked the code behind bacteria's ability to naturally manufacture multiple versions of powerful anti-cancer drugs. The discovery could make it much easier to engineer new cancer treatments inspired by nature, including improved ...
Scientists have discovered that creatine may strengthen one of the immune system's most important cancer-fighting pathways by energizing dendritic cells that activate killer T cells. The promising results could eventually help make immunotherapy ...
Intermittent fasting helped people lose as much weight as calorie restriction, but without the same feeling of constantly controlling their food intake. Researchers say that difference could make ...

Latest Headlines

updated 12:56 pm ET