Brain atlas seeks to define normalcy

[dArKeR]

Human brains are stunningly diverse. No two are identical, not even those of identical twins. So when scientists are looking at a brain, how do they know when they’re looking at one that’s normal?

 IT’S HARD NOT to recall the scene in the 1974 Mel Brooks comedy “Young Frankenstein” when Igor selects the “Abby Normal” brain for his boss to put in the monster.
       Researchers are now trying to better understand what constitutes a “normal” brain by studying a newly compiled atlas that contains digitally mapped images of 7,000 of the organs. A decade in the making, the brain mapping project quietly debuted this summer.
       Use of the atlas allows researchers to compare and contrast these brain images, captured from all sorts of people living in seven nations on four continents. Most are between the ages of 20 and 40, but some are as young as 7 and as old as 90.
       Along with the brain images of “normal” people are those of people suffering from Alzheimer’s, fetal alcohol syndrome, autism and schizophrenia. More data are continually being added.

http://www.msnbc.com/news/946544.asp?0cv=CB20

They need to include an image of a Serial Coward Muslim Murderer, Bush.

http://darkerxdarker.tripod.com/

[Stephanie]

1. I heard a scary report on the radio today

That depression actually shrinks the hippocampus (sp?) - so untreated depression is worse than previously thought. But they said the cell loss can be prevented by medication or EXERCISE. Weird.

[HungryLoser]

2. How about mental excersise?

I'd never pass any brain test.