A recent study conducted by researchers from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL) has revealed distinct differences in the way information travels within the brains of humans compared to mice and macaques. Using advanced data analysis techniques on functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans, the researchers discovered that while mice and macaques use single channels for brain information traffic, the human brain employs multiple parallel pathways.
The team employed a combination of graph theory and information theory to create comprehensive brain ‘traffic maps’ that illustrated the transmission of information across various brain regions. Alessandra Griffa, a biomedical engineer from EPFL, explained, “What’s new in our study is the use of multimodal data in a single model combining two branches of mathematics: graph theory, which describes the polysynaptic roadmaps; and information theory, which maps information transmission (or traffic) via the roads.”
The study found that these parallel pathways are as unique as fingerprints, providing a distinctive pattern for individual nervous systems. While the implications of these multiple channels on thought processing and cognitive functions require further exploration, researchers suggest that the complexity of human brains, with larger sizes and more intricate connectivity patterns, might explain the presence of these parallel pathways.
One potential advantage highlighted by the study is the added resilience of the human brain. The parallel processing allows for information to be rerouted through alternative channels if one pathway is blocked or damaged. Understanding these unique aspects of human brain connectivity could have implications for repairing brain injuries and developing strategies for conditions such as dementia.
“We could hypothesize that these parallel information streams allow for multiple representations of reality, and the ability to perform abstract functions specific to humans,” notes Alessandra Griffa. Future research aims to delve into more complex processes to understand how information is combined and processed in the brain, opening avenues for potential breakthroughs in neuroscience.
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Reference: https://www.sciencealert.com/unique-flow-of-information-identified-in-the-human-brain
