USC researchers create first map of core white matter
connections; find not all brain connections are equally important
For the first time, neuroscientists have systematically
identified the white matter “scaffold” of the human brain, the critical
communications network that supports brain function.
Their work, published Feb. 11 in the open-source journal
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, has major implications for understanding brain
injury and disease. By detailing the connections that have the greatest
influence over all other connections, the researchers offer not only a landmark
first map of core white matter pathways, but also show which connections may be
most vulnerable to damage.