About This Video

After his death in 1955, Albert Einstein’s brain was studied by scientists worldwide—all wanting to gain insight into the anatomy of a genius. But it wasn’t until the 1980s when Marian Diamond noticed that Einstein had more glial cells than average. Glia, stemming from Greek for “glue”, was previously thought to have performed a strictly support role for the neurons. Now it is clear that glia may play a more active, non-electrical role in brain activity. Neurologist Douglas Fields explains how scientists had missed this glial connection, and how they are studying it. You can read more about glia and the brain on WSF blog.
Check out all Beautiful Minds videos

Recorded June 2011; Posted July 2011