Our brain, that great unknown

The universe is immense and very difficult to study. Thanks to science we have answered great questions about the cosmos, but there are still so many mysteries to crack. However, many scientists say there is something much more complex and harder to understand than the universe. And it is very close to us, in fact it is an organ inside our heads: the brain. To find out about the great challenge understanding it poses, Barcelona Libraries are organising a Visions of Science series titled Our brain, that great unknown on Mondays from 20 January to 9 March.

The brain is a complex system. That means it is an organ made up of a large number of individual elements (neurons) that are extremely connected and structured with dendrites and axons that create a sophisticated network. Complex systems acquire properties not shared by their constituent parts, such as consciousness in the case of the brain. In addition, neurons establish new connections as the brain (and the person) learns, acquires new habits or perceives new stimuli from outside. Conversely, we lose neurons or their connections weaken when the brain ages, gets ill or degenerates and then its functioning falters. So studying both the structure and the functions of the brain is an incredibly complicated task but it is extremely important when designing treatments, preventing diseases and understanding ourselves better as people.

Thanks to science we have learned many things about the brain and will learn many more. The Visions of Science talks given by researchers involved in learning about the brain will introduce you to the latest discoveries about this organ from many different perspectives. Take the opportunity to get up to date with neuroscience and delve into issues such as stokes, addictions, emotions, cognition, mental health, headaches, why we sleep, habits that benefit the brain and even the direction in which this organ will evolve in the human beings of the future.

See more information through this link.