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

June 16, 2026

A new study found that chronic wasting disease can sometimes spread silently, with infectious prions present even in animals that show no symptoms. While there is no confirmed human risk, researchers ...
Many people prescribed GLP-1 drugs for type 2 diabetes (such as Victoza, Ozempic, or tirzepatide) stop taking them, but a surprising number later return to treatment. Researchers found that newer medications appear to keep patients on therapy ...
A large real-world study suggests semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus) may offer an unexpected bonus for people with type 2 diabetes: stronger protection against bone fractures while delivering ...
Humans evolved to pay close attention to danger, but today that instinct is being overwhelmed by an endless supply of bad news from around the world. Researchers say the answer isn’t to stop following current events—it’s to build healthier ...
A copper-based compound restored the brain’s ability to clear toxic Alzheimer’s proteins, dramatically reducing amyloid buildup and improving memory in laboratory experiments. The findings point to a potentially fast-tracked new treatment ...
For years, calcium and vitamin D supplements have been promoted as a simple way for older adults to protect their bones and prevent falls. But a massive review of nearly 154,000 people found that ...
A large-scale study suggests that men with higher levels of the amino acid tyrosine may have shorter lifespans, potentially losing close to a year of life expectancy. The finding is especially intriguing because tyrosine is commonly associated with ...
A new oral GLP-1 medication helped people with type 2 diabetes dramatically improve blood sugar control and lose weight in a major clinical trial. The results suggest that highly effective diabetes treatments may soon become available in a much more ...
Researchers used genome editing to block the production of red pigments in lettuce, causing other beneficial plant compounds to build up instead. The lettuce continued to grow normally, pointing toward a new way to create crops with customized ...
A new whey protein manufacturing technique could make protein shakes taste better and feel smoother in the mouth. Researchers traced unwanted bitterness to concentrated minerals and found a way to remove them without sacrificing the improved ...
Bringing blood sugar levels back to normal may dramatically reduce the danger posed by prediabetes. Researchers found that people who reversed prediabetes cut their risk of cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure by 58% and lowered ...
A surprising new study suggests that completely eliminating sugar may backfire. Mice on a sucrose-free low-fat diet showed worse blood sugar control, increased inflammation, disrupted gut bacteria, and signs of fatty liver compared with mice that ...

Latest Headlines

updated 12:56 pm ET