In This Guide
The Brain and Neuroscience Basics
The Functions and Structure of the Brain
The Latest Brain and Neuroscience Research
Blogs about Brain and Neuroscience Issues
Teaching Kids and Teens about the Brain and Neuroscience
Improving Brain Fitness and Health
Buying Neuroscience Textbooks and Other Brain Reference Material
Community Links in Science of the Brain
Science of the Brain: How the Mind Works
It may seem like the Internet has an overwhelming number of links but it’s really quite simple compared to the human brain, which has roughly 1,000 trillion connections—about the same as the number of leaves on all the trees in a rainforest. Nevertheless, trying to navigate the Web in search of precisely what you’re looking for can make you feel like you’re lost in the forest. There are countless sites on brain structure, brain function, and brain fitness. You’ll see brain images of every type as well as photos of actual human and animal brains from every angle and perspective. There are plenty of teaching tools including games, experiments, labs, and lesson plans. You’ll even find a host of blogs about the brain. Using this guide to brain science on the Web can give you a “head” start.
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Expand All Guide SectionsThe Brain and Neuroscience Basics
The U.S. government declared the 1990s the “Decade of the Brain,” and the amount and quality of information on the Web have only increased since. The following sites are comprehensive, providing information about all aspects of neuroscience and the brain in a clear, succinct, and interesting way.
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- Even the most basic sites may contain complex scientific terminology. If you need to find the meaning of a word, first check to see if the site has its own glossary. If not, check the Serendip Glossary of Terms for a comprehensive, alphabetized list of neuroscience terms and definitions.
- Although all of the sites in this section are well organized and easy to navigate, they may at times seem overwhelming because of the vast amounts of information they provide. So before you start surfing, be sure to put your thinking cap on.
- To get a summary of the site and its intended audience, it’s a good idea to start by reading the “About this Site” or “About Us” section, usually found through a link at the very top or bottom of the homepage. This should give you a general idea of the scope and type of information being presented.
- You can often get a good initial assessment of the site’s content and complexity by checking its source. Sites created by professional societies and universities usually contain fairly advanced scientific information. Sites put out by nonprofit organizations or government institutes usually cater more to the general public.
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The Dana Foundation
offers one-stop shopping for anything you could want or need to know about the brain. Choose from a wide selection of categories associated with the brain and then from a list of topics within that subject area to view a lengthy list of related articles, each of which can be read in its entirety for free. Access a large selection of books about the brain and the latest brain and neuroscience research. Also find brain resources for kids, brain resources for seniors, free newsletters, and podcasts.
The Brain from Top to Bottom
covers all aspects of the brain, divided into five categories: social, psychological, neurological, cellular, and molecular. Visit each category for informative and understandable graphics along with keyword links to pages with more extensive information on the particular topic. Choose “beginner,” “intermediate,” or “advanced” at the top of the page to access information about any of the five categories at an appropriate level of complexity.
Society for Neuroscience
has an “Information for the General Public” page that holds a vast collection of valuable resources. Take a look at “Brain Facts,” a 64-page primer on the brain and nervous system, or “Brain Backgrounders,” a series of articles that answer basic questions about neuroscience. Also find information about the latest research and breakthroughs in neuroscience, through a series of publications detailing “Brain Research Success Stories,” weekly news, and much more.
Brain Facts and Figures
, a Web site created by a professor at the University of Washington, is a compilation of virtually every neurostatistic imaginable. Look for information divided into five categories: the brain, the neuron, the spinal chord, the sensory apparatus, and the blood supply. Some of the data are quite practical and useful, others quite obscure. Then again, you never know when you might need to find the number of fibers in the optic nerve of an albino rat, the thickness of a giant squid’s axon membrane, or the specific gravity of cerebrospinal fluid.
Who knew?
Oliver Sacks
is a world-renowned neurologist and acclaimed best-selling author who maintains a self-titled Web site with a wealth of valuable resources pertaining to all aspects of brain science, neuroscience, and neurology. The site offers a free e-newsletter and also lets you submit questions directly to Dr. Sacks. His books include Awakenings, The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat, An Anthropologist on Mars, Seeing Voices, and his latest book Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain.
The Functions and Structure of the Brain
There is such a wealth of information on the Internet on the topics of neuroanatomy (brain structures) and brain functions that typing any of these terms into a search engine will generate tens of thousands of hits. This section can help streamline your search, highlighting some of the best sites across the spectrum.
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- Some sites use a lot of brain images to explain concepts; others use primarily text. To start, you might want to click around a bit to see which dominates. Most people will learn better from information presented one way or the other (depending on whether their left or right brain hemisphere is dominant).
- When researching sites other than those recommended here, it’s a good idea to look for a copyright date at the bottom of the page. New brain research findings are revealed at such a rapid rate that it’s important that the site is fairly current and, even better, if it’s frequently updated.
- If you’re prone to getting queasy, be prepared: many of the brain images you’ll see are photographs of preserved human (and other animal) brains.
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To learn about brain structures and their functions …
BrainSource’s “The Amazing Brain”
focuses on the relationship between brain structure and function, a field of science known as functional neuroanatomy. Scroll down to find a number of downloadable PDF maps showing the major divisions and pathways of the brain. Also take a look at the “Web Resources” section for links to other sites that provide tutorials, images, and diagrams for learning about neuroanatomy.
The Neuroscience Tutorial
was created by the Washington University School of Medicine for first-year medical students. Find the functions, connections, and various disorders related to each part of the brain, with numerous accompanying images and diagrams.
The Centre for Neuro Skills
has this page on the structure of the brain. Scroll down for a clickable “Brain Map” that focuses on the effects of damage to various parts of the brain. You’ll get insight into not only the physiological functions but also the behavioral functions of healthy and damaged brain areas.
To view images of the brain …
BrainMaps.org
is the place to go to view countless detailed images of the brain—more than 6,000 images from 15 different species, including humans. Get started by using the site’s “Navigation Guide” for tips on zooming and explanations of image labels. Or jump right in by browsing the list of species on the left.
The Digital Anatomist
, created by the University of Washington, is a top-notch site for delving into the anatomy of the brain. Take a look at the “Brain Atlas” for detailed 3-D images, dissections, and animations of all brain sections, and don’t miss the Neuroanatomy Interactive Syllabus
for additional images with instructional captions.
for additional images with instructional captions.
Serendip
, a site founded by Bryn Mawr College, allows you to slice your way through photographs of actual human, monkey, cat, rat, and frog brains. All images are accompanied by explanations that students and nonscientists can understand.
Medical Science 532
, a course presented by the University of Idaho, features four photographs that illustrate 27 critical structures of the human brain. Click on a photo for a breakdown of specific structures within that section of the brain. Choose a structure to get more detailed photos and a brief introduction to functions.
Comparative Mammalian Brain Collections
, a cooperative effort between the University of Wisconsin, Michigan State University, and the National Museum of Health and Medicine, presents images from one of the world's largest collections of well-preserved brains from over 175 species. Find graphics, photographs, and images of stained sections of the brain as well as additional information about brain evolution, development, circuitry, and function.
The Latest Brain and Neuroscience Research
Although scientists are only beginning to scratch the surface, new technologies are helping to solve some of the mysteries of the brain at a rapidly accelerating rate. Recent research has yielded significant findings, helping neuroscientists to better understand how our brain works and close in on cures and treatments for many seriously debilitating and potentially fatal diseases. With most major scientific journals maintaining Web sites, the latest neuroscience breakthroughs are right at your fingertips.
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- Most scientific journals present only article abstracts on their Web sites and require the purchase of an often quite expensive subscription for access to the entire text of an article. But bear in mind that there are alternatives. If you’re interested in one article on a specific topic, most journals offer temporary (usually one-day) access to an individual article for a small fee.
- If you’re interested in staying up to date on the most recent research findings, most sites allow you to sign up for free e-newsletters that provide either abstracts or summaries of the latest journal articles.
- Brain and neuroscience research is advancing at lightning speed, so if you’re searching a topic by subject or keyword, be sure to check the dates of the articles retrieved. Research findings from even just a few years back may already have been refuted or become obsolete.
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BrainMysteries.com
provides summaries—in laymen’s terms—of 30 of the most recent and significant research studies from premier journals. Use the site’s search engine (in the upper right corner) to access relevant archived articles with keywords of interest.
Neuron
is a journal that provides peer-reviewed articles about cutting-edge neuroscience and neurological research. Get an annual subscription (24 issues) for $186 or download single articles for $30. Access abstracts of the current year’s articles and the full text of all articles from previous years for free online.
Oxford Journals
provides links to top peer-reviewed journals, including the highly esteemed neuroscience and neurological journal Brain (published monthly). Access all abstracts and full articles appearing before 2001 free of charge. For more current articles, get a paid print subscription ($100/year) or one-day access with a pay-per-article fee of $28.
The Journal of Neuroscience
is a weekly periodical published by the Society for Neuroscience (SFN). Search for articles by date, author, or keywords and view abstracts for free online. Obtain one-day access to any single article for a $15 fee, or subscribe for $2,662/year to access full articles.
Wiley InterScience
maintains a vast database of neurology-related journal articles and books. View journal article abstracts, book summaries, and tables of contents for free online. For the full text of a journal article, buy one-day access for $29.95 (hardcopies of books must, of course, be purchased).
Blogs about Brain and Neuroscience Issues
If you don’t have the time or interest to pore over abstracts or dryly written academic research findings, blogs can save you some time and provide a little humor and entertainment along the way. There are numerous brain blogs on the Web, many of which reference new breakthroughs in neuroscience, thus providing valuable information in a user-friendly way. Here are our favorites.
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- Blogs are rarely sources of impartial information. The blogger often has an opinion on the topic he’s writing about, so beware of embedded bias.
- Credibility can be another question. It’s worthwhile to always check out the author(s) of a blog to determine credibility and to gain perspective. Obviously you’ll want to steer clear of blogs written by kids about the effects of various drugs on their brains, but all research has some bias, and even among researchers, physicians, and professors there is a range of authority and perspectives that may affect their opinions on certain topics.
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Cognitive Daily
features a new blog post every day on a peer-reviewed article pertaining to neuroscience and cognition. Search by topic or keyword and access archived posts going back to 2005.
The Neurocritic
blogs about the latest research “findings in Human Brain Imaging, Cognitive Neuroscience, and Psychopharmacology.” What makes this blog unique is that the research articles discussed generally pertain to human behavior and focus on topics that are of interest to mainstream readers; for example, “how our brains evaluate sexual attraction.” Browse the extensive archive for information that is extracted from highly reputable sources and presented in a lightweight and humorous way.
Mind Hacks
is an interesting collection of blogs about current research on neuroscience, the workings of the brain, and their implications on human thinking and behavior. Search the blogs by subject or date, or probe the workings of your own brain using a collection of neuroscience tricks in Mind Hacks: Tips & Tricks for Using Your Brain.
SharpBrains
has a literally thought-provoking blog devoted to improving brain fitness. Learn how to cultivate a vibrant, healthy brain throughout life with articles that are fun and interesting to read, and offer innovative ideas and perspectives.
On the Brain
is a fascinating and enjoyable blog written by a doctor of neuroscience. Read about new ideas and gain novel insight into brain abnormalities that affect human behavior.
BrainBlog
isn’t a blog for beginners. It focuses on the topics of neurology and neuroscience as they relate to brain fitness. Entries primarily address and evaluate articles from peer-reviewed, neuroscientific journals and therefore contain a moderate amount of technical language.
Teaching Kids and Teens about the Brain and Neuroscience
More and more teachers—from elementary to college level—are posting their curricula online, turning the Internet into a huge database of educational resources. Whether you need sample lesson plans, assignments or exams, ideas for labs or projects, or an entire college course syllabus, you can find it all on the Web.
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- Many good ideas may be gleaned by perusing these sites, but be sure not to fall into the trap of simply replicating the work posted by another teacher or professor.
- Don’t be too quick to dismiss activities that appear to be just for fun. Many suggestions—such as making edible neurons and playing synaptic tag—can teach students a lot about the brain and enable them to grasp complex concepts such as the role of neurotransmitters, enzymes, and dendrites.
- Be especially cognizant of your audience if you’ll be using brain images for a lecture or presentation. MRI scans might be very useful when shown at a professional conference, but of little interest to young school students who would likely learn much more from a virtual talking brain. Use particular discretion when displaying images of cadaver brains, which may be considered unethical and offensive to some individuals.
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Neuroscience For Kids
includes a huge selection of games, experiments, projects, videos, and lesson plans for elementary, middle school, and high school students, all of which aim to make learning about the brain and neuroscience both fun and highly informative.
BrainConnection
has student-oriented information about the brain along with games, puzzles, and other learning activities. Find information for teachers about the brain and learning or how best to stimulate the growing child brain, as well as a free biweekly e-newsletter discussing the latest in brain science. Don’t miss the “Library” for a selection of some of the best books about neuroscience and how the brain and mind affect behavior, including several memoirs by individuals suffering from rare brain disorders. All books are linked to Amazon.com, where they can be further reviewed and purchased.
NIDA (National Institute for Drug Abuse) for Teens
is a government program designed to teach school students about the effects of drugs on the brain and body. Access the games, quizzes, and puzzles to learn important information in a fun and interesting way. Take a look at the “Teacher’s Guide” for complete lecture information and graphics, lesson plans, activities, and quizzes.
BrainsRule!
is a collaborative effort between The University of Nebraska at Omaha and the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. With its funky sound effects and bright colors, the site is geared primarily toward kids, allowing them to play brain games, create personal brain Web pages, and ask questions to brain experts. The site also offers information for teachers including lesson plans with hands-on classroom activities aimed at making learning about neuroscience and the brain fun and exciting. For neuroscience professionals, BrainsRule! provides research resources and funding opportunities, a daily neuroscience news feed, and a link to National Institutes of Health Faculty of Undergraduate Neuroscience site.
Improving Brain Fitness and Health
With life expectancy on the rise, it’s becoming increasingly important to preserve cognitive functioning so that we can remain active, vibrant, and mentally sharp in our golden years. Experts now believe that well-directed mental exercise is a must for cognitive enhancement and healthy aging. The following sites provide a wealth of information on preserving brain fitness, exploring the importance of cognitive exercises, nutrition, and physical exercise as methods of keeping our brains healthy and “young.”
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- Most Web sites contain a glossary of relevant terms, but one word that is of particular significance with respect to brain fitness is “plasticity.” Brain plasticity (also known as neuroplasticity) refers to the brain’s ability to change with learning. It has myriad implications and has thus been the topic of a wealth of research that, in many cases, has yielded astounding results.
- Many books have been written about brain plasticity. Two excellent choices are: The Brain That Changes Itself by Dr. Norman Doidge and Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain by Sharon Begley.
- Just as you would with a physical exercise regimen, you should choose “neural training” activities that you find interesting and fun so that you will continue doing them on a regular basis.
- The best idea when trying to keep the brain in shape is to take a variety of approaches, rather than rely on any one hobby. For example, crossword puzzles may help with a brain function called fluency, or word finding. Fluency is a type of process based in the speech and language centers of the brain.
- Mixing things up a bit, you might also want to try joining a ballroom dance class. Each time you learn a new dance step, new neural pathways are created in your brain, giving instructions to your body on how to perform the step.
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To learn about brain plasticity…
Neuroscience for Kids
presents “Brain Plasticity: What Is It?”, a concise overview of brain plasticity. Learn neuroscientific terms that are presented in a way that can be understood by laymen and children. Read an overview of brain plasticity, facts about neuroplasticity, how plasticity develops and changes as the brain ages, and how plasticity affects learning and memory.
Brain Fitness Channel
presents “Brain Plasticity, Brain Change,” an easy-to-understand article on brain plasticity and cognition that stresses the importance of brain “exercise” in improving learning, memory, and concentration. Take advantage of the site’s brain fitness tests and tips, as well as countless links to brain plasticity and fitness breakthroughs and news.
For information and brain exercises …
SharpBrains
has myriad resources on brain vitality and health, separated into easy-to-navigate categories ranging from factual to fun. Find information about brain nutrition and physical and mental exercises that improve cognition and memory, or read blogs, articles, and newsletters. Software, books, and other educational resources are also available for purchase.
Brain Fitness Channel
is straightforward, fun and easy to navigate. Find a wealth of valuable information about the brain and associated disorders, as well as tests, games, puzzles, and exercises all aimed at optimizing brain fitness. Don’t miss the 14 valuable “Tips for Brain Fitness” and the short articles written for nonscientists about the latest brain fitness research.
Recommended Brain Fitness Activities
is a subsection of the Brain Fitness Channel that’s quick and fun to read, and offers valuable insights, to boot. The site provides 14 brain fitness activities—along with brief explanations for why they work—that can be easily integrated into most anyone’s life. (Especially when one of the tips is adding dark chocolate to your diet!)
ThirdAge
, a news site, presents “Brain Fitness—Five Exercises to Strengthen Those Synapses!” The site is somewhat busy, with the article sandwiched between advertisements and links on both margins. Nevertheless, reading this article is time well spent. Dive in for five simple and unique brain exercises with brief explanations of how each improves mental fitness.
Buying Neuroscience Textbooks and Other Brain Reference Material
Not only can you find brain models of varying complexity but the range of different types of “neuro” texts is even greater. There are books about the brain for laymen, students, scientists, and researchers; textbooks and journals; and human interest stories about disorders, behavior, and unusual brain and mind phenomena. To help you sift through it all and find the resources you’re looking for, we’ve rounded up the best sites on the Web to purchase brain models, neuroscience texts, and even brain-shaped gummy candy.
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- The old adage that you can’t judge a book by its cover may sound cliché, but it’s a good rule to follow when searching for books about the brain and neuroscience on the Internet. You’ll find books filled with brain teasers, books containing first-hand accounts of people living with brain abnormalities, books written for the casual scientist with a curiosity about the brain and neuroscience, and books targeting physicians or medical students with terminology so complex it will make your brain spin. So before you whip out your credit card and prepare to make a purchase based on an interesting-sounding title, be sure to first determine the book’s target audience.
- If you’re looking to avoid the boredom of dry, scientific information about the brain, try instead searching for books or DVDs that tell stories. You’ll find a great deal of valuable scientific information embedded in interesting and fascinating recounts of real medical case studies or personal accounts of brain-related phenomena.
- Be sure to do some comparative shopping before purchasing items such as brain models. If your objective is to study neural networks, for example, you’ll need to spring for a fairly pricey model. But, if you’ll be using the model just for demonstration, there are plenty of excellent replicas available for a fraction of the cost.
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Neuroscience Arena
sells books, e-books, textbooks, and journals for researchers, instructors, and students. Browse the large selection of behavioral, cognitive, developmental, and social neuroscience texts, or sign up for the free e-newsletters announcing the release of new books and journals.
CogNet
, a site of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), has an extensive collection of books, journals, conference materials, and other brain and neuroscience reference materials from The MIT Press. Click on the title of a book for a brief summary and the table of contents. In order to purchase items, you’ll need to subscribe to CogNet ($195/year).
Brain Fitness Channel
offers an annotated list of books on the topic of brain plasticity and its effects on behavior, mental state, and conscious thought, along with links to purchase each book. The books provide compelling information for laymen about the mind and various ways in which we can control and alter our own thoughts, feelings, and performance.
The Centre for Neuro Skills
has a store stocked with DVDs, newsletters, brain models, and journal articles. One caveat: the focus of all resources is traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, many include valuable information about the brain. Be sure to read the brief product summaries before making a purchase to ensure that the resource includes the desired topics.
Red Reef Publication’s “Resources for the Brain Sciences”
provides a wealth of resources with products specifically designed for use by students of every educational level from elementary school to graduate and medical school. Find brain models and dissections, books, study guides, and software. On the lighter side, the site also offers a selection of brain novelty items.
Neuro-Mart
sells a vast assortment of products that, aside from a nice selection of brain models, are more for fun than for education. Looking for gummy brains, a brain Frisbee, DNA earrings, or a brain gelatin mold? Navigate directly to Neuro-Mart to access all sorts of fun brain items.
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