Dr. José Luis Lanciego, a scientist at research center (CIMA) of the University of Navarra, has published in National Geographic Spain (RBA Editores) a book describing the map of the connections of the human brain.

"The connectome" addresses over 140 pages the complexities of the brain, an organ made up of a sophisticated skein of connections known collectively as the 'connectome'. "If they could be arranged in a row they would reach about 150,000 km, almost half the distance from the earth to the moon," explains the author.

Through an entertaining language, the author immerses us in these complexities, explaining the state-of-the-art technologies available for the study of these circuits, as well as the latest scientific advances made for their manipulation, seeking a medical benefit in the treatment of neurodegenerative brain diseases. "In the web of brain connections reside our memories, personality traits, abilities, emotions and mental Schools , so if we assume that our brain establishes who we are and that it is its connections that determine brain function, then we are accepting that we are our connectome," says Dr. Lanciengo, an expert in Parkinson's disease at CIMA of the University of Navarra and researcher of the CIBER on neurodegenerative diseases (CIBERNED).

Mapping each and every connection in the human brain is probably the most important scientific challenge that humanity is tackling in the 21st century. Such a map is expected to be completed within a few years, which will open up "an impressive range of exciting possibilities that will completely transform our current society," the author notes. "It won't be long before we have a digital copy of each of our brains on a computer, and having such a map of the brain's circuits will completely transform our understanding of ourselves, the human experience itself, and allow us to increase our brain capacities to limits yet to be explored. It is worth remembering that it is precisely our brain that is the ultimate manager of our success as a species," concludes Dr. Lanciengo.

Collection "The Challenges of Science".

"The Connectome" is part of the collection entitled "The Challenges of Science", which consists of 60 volumes and is designed to bring the latest advances and most innovative scientific challenges to the general public. 

This collection deals with the current challenges of science, covering different aspects of quantum physics, astrophysics, Genetics, artificial intelligence and neurosciences, topics that are treated in an informative way but with great scientific content, and are accompanied by a wide range of graphic resources that enrich and complete the text.