Scientists Discover Swirling Spirals in the Human Brain that Could Revolutionize Computing and Understanding of the Brain
Scientists from the University of Sydney and Fudan University have made a groundbreaking discovery regarding the human brain. Through fMRI scans, they have found that human brain signals form swirling spirals on the outer layer of neural tissue. These spirals, observed during both rest and cognitive activity, play a crucial role in organizing brain function and cognitive processes.
Published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour, the study suggests that these widespread spiral patterns could have far-reaching implications. Senior author Associate Professor Pulin Gong from the School of Physics in the Faculty of Science explains that this discovery could advance not only our understanding of the brain but also computing machines inspired by its intricate workings.
The spirals, which move across the brain’s surface while rotating around central points known as phase singularities, engage in intricate interactions, similar to the way vortices act in turbulence. These interactions play a vital role in organizing the brain’s complex activities.
PhD student Yiben Xu, the lead author of the research, highlights that the location of the spirals on the cortex allows them to bridge communication between different sections or networks of the brain. They effectively coordinate the flow of activity between these networks by changing their rotational directions.
The implications of this discovery go beyond understanding brain dynamics. It could help medical researchers gain valuable insights into brain diseases such as dementia. By examining the role these spirals play, researchers could further comprehend the effects of these diseases and potentially develop improved treatments.
To gather their findings, the scientists analyzed functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) brain scans of 100 young adults. They adapted methods typically used to understand complex wave patterns in turbulence to understand the brain’s intricate workings.
Traditionally, neuroscience focused on interactions between neurons to understand brain function. However, this recent discovery highlights the importance of larger processes within the brain. Associate Professor Gong emphasizes that unlocking the mysteries of brain activity and understanding its coordination brings us closer to unlocking the full potential of cognition and brain function.
This groundbreaking study opens up new avenues for research and provides an exciting opportunity to advance both computing technology and our understanding of the human brain. The potential to develop better computational models and gain insights into brain diseases has tremendous implications for the future of neuroscience and healthcare.