Research report 2008 - Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences
The Brain as a Network
Authors
Knösche, Thomas Reiner
Departments
Kortikale Netzwerke and Kognitive Funktionen (Dr. Thomas Knösche)
MPI für Kognitions- und Neurowissenschaften, Leipzig
Summary
The capabilities of the brain are based on an interplay between functional segregation and functional integration of neuronal populations within complex networks. The anatomical basis of these networks can be reconstructed using diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging. The dynamic interaction between the neuronal populations is described by models of neural masses and fields. The integration of these techniques with functional measurements and neuropsychological experiments opens up new perspectives for the investigation of the mechanisms of the human mind.