Surprising findings from studies of spontaneous brain activity

Revealed in journal Brain Connectivity

2011-05-17

(Press-News.org) New Rochelle, NY, May 16, 2011—Ongoing, intrinsic brain activity that is not task-related accounts for the majority of energy used by the human brain. This surprising finding, along with other recent discoveries about the brain and its function, structure, and organization, are described in "The Restless Brain," an Instant Online article in the groundbreaking new neuroscience journal Brain Connectivity, a bimonthly peer-reviewed journal published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. (www.liebertpub.com). "The Restless Brain," seven additional articles from the first issue, and a full description of the Journal and its editorial leadership are available online at www.liebertpub.com/brain

Marcus Raichle, Washington University School of Medicine (St. Louis, MO), describes the current understanding of the spontaneous, intrinsic activity of the human brain as "still very much a work in progress." He provides a clear and comprehensive overview of the most recent observations derived from modern brain imaging techniques. These include findings related to spatial and temporal patterns of intrinsic brain activity, the relationship between spontaneous activity and consciousness, the fact that a lack of direct physical connections between brain structures does not preclude functional connectivity, the link between age and changes in brain function and connectivity, and the integration of major brain systems during a task compared to when the brain is at rest.

"Dr. Raichle is one of the pioneers in the field of neuroimaging, not content to rest on his laurels he continues to drive Brain Connectivity research forward with his expert opinion and insightful analysis," says Christopher Pawela, PhD, Co-Editor-in-Chief.

INFORMATION:

Brain Connectivity will be the journal of record for researchers and clinicians interested in all aspects of Brain Connectivity. The Journal is under the leadership of founding and Co-Editors-in-Chief Christopher Pawela, PhD, assistant professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin, and Bharat Biswal, PhD, associate professor at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. The Journal will include original peer-reviewed papers, review articles, point-counterpoint discussions on controversies in the field, and a product/technology review section.

To ensure that scientific findings are rapidly disseminated, articles are published Instant Online within 72 hours of acceptance, with fully typeset, fast-track publication within 4 weeks.

Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. is a privately held, fully integrated media company known for establishing authoritative medical and biomedical peer-reviewed journals, including Journal of Neurotrauma. Its biotechnology trade magazine, Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (GEN), was the first in its field and is today the industry's most widely read publication worldwide. A complete list of the firm's 60 journals, newsmagazines, and books is available at our website (www.liebertpub.com).

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Surprising findings from studies of spontaneous brain activity

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