Human Brain Project

Pioneering digital neuroscience to better understand the brain, its diseases, and its computational capabilities – that is the vision of the European Human Brain Project.

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The human brain is a masterpiece of nature. Even the most complicated assignments are solved by this control centre in no time at all and using extremely little energy. Scientists in the Human Brain Project aim at gaining a deeper understanding of the human brain. This will help not only to understand what makes us human, but also to lay the foundation for new therapies of brain related diseases. New insights might also be useful for new approaches in information technology. Jülich scientists contribute their expertise primarily in the areas of brain structure and function as well as supercomputing and simulation.

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A Three-Dimensional Atlas of the Brain as a Virtual “Reference Work”

Scientists at Forschungszentrum Jülich are developing a 3-D model of the human brain. In the long term, the data obtained will improve understanding of how the brain works and enable earlier diagnosis and better treatment of psychiatric and neurological disorders.

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Mathematical Models Provide Explanations

The human brain is a gigantic control centre. Mathematical models help to simulate the highly complex flows of information both within and between neurons using supercomputers.

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Supercomputers Simulate Brain Activity

How do the brain’s some 100 billion neurons exchange information? What are the causes of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s or dementia? In order to answer highly complex questions such as these, the Jülich Supercomputing Centre (JSC) supports scientists in their simulation of the processes in the brain.

Further information

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Interview

Micrometre by Micrometre: Decoding the Human Brain with AI

The starting signal has been given: the German-Canadian Helmholtz International BigBrain Analytics and Learning Laboratory (HIBALL) takes up its work. The goal: a three-dimensional brain atlas at a cellular resolution level. The method: the close integration of artificial intelligence, supercomputing and neuroscience. Involved are: more than 40 scientists.

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Video

Towards a 3D fiber atlas of the brain

Revealing the entire human brains’ nerve fiber architecture at the axonal level poses immense technological and computational challenges.

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Notification

A centerpiece of EBRAINS’ human brain atlas is presented in “Science”

"Julich-Brain" is the name of the first 3D-atlas of the human brain that reflects the variability of the brain’s structure with microscopic resolution. The atlas features close to 250 structurally distinct areas, each one based on the analysis of 10 brains. More than 24000 extremely thin brain sections were digitized, assembled in 3D and mapped by experts.

Last Modified: 31.05.2022