What did Einstein have that I don't? Studies on Albert Einstein's brain

Type of article: REVIEW

AUTHORS

P. Carrillo-Mora¹, K. Magaña-Vázquez², S. Sarahi May-López², N. Abigail Mondragón-Ramírez^2
1Department of Neurosciences. Neurobiology Subdivision, National Institute of Rehabilitation, Mexico City, Mexico.
²Medical student. Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico.

ABSTRACT

Introduction. The lives of those figures known for their innovative and revolutionary ideas have always inspired considerable interest and fascination. Different studies have examined what led these individuals to think so differently, and to what extent t heir genius was due to nature or nurture. In addition to helping provide a better understanding of the biological substrate of what we call genius, his research may contribute to favouring or nurturing the development of such geniuses. Albert Einstein is the best-known example of a scientist whose discoveries and theories revolutionised our view of the world and the history of science.

Development. In this article, we present a chronological and critical review of published studies on the peculiarities and idiosyncrasies, both macroscopic and microscopic, observed in Einstein's brain. We also relate the functional interpretations that have been given to those findings.

Conclusions. Researchers have described a number of differences and peculiarities in Albert Einstein's brain. Nevertheless, the functional significance of those anomalies, and the true anatomical substrate of his genius, remain topics open to debate.

KEYWORDS

Albert Einstein, brain, cerebral cortex, astroglia

Neurosciences and History 2015;3(3):125-129