Human Connectome Project facts for kids

The Human Connectome Project is a big science effort led by the United States. Its main goal is to create a detailed map of the entire human brain. Think of it like mapping all the roads and connections in a huge city, but for your brain!

This project is a five-year plan funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). On September 15, 2010, the NIH announced it would give out two large grants. One grant, for $30 million over five years, went to a team led by Washington University in Saint Louis and the University of Minnesota. The other grant, for $8.5 million over three years, went to a team led by Harvard University, Massachusetts General Hospital, and the University of California Los Angeles.

What is the Human Connectome Project?

The Human Connectome Project (HCP) aims to map the complete "wiring diagram" of the human brain. This means understanding how different parts of the brain are connected and how they talk to each other. The project plans to do this by scanning the brains of 1,200 Americans.

Mapping the Brain's Connections

Just like the Human Genome Project mapped all our genes, the Human Connectome Project is mapping all the connections in our brains. These connections are called "neural wiring." Knowing how these connections work helps scientists understand how we think, feel, and act.

How Does the Project Work?

The project uses a special type of scan called magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI machines use strong magnets and radio waves to create detailed pictures of the inside of your body, including your brain. These scans help scientists see the pathways and connections between different brain areas.

Sharing Brain Data

One important part of the project is sharing information. As soon as the brain scans are processed, the data is made public for scientists everywhere to use. This helps researchers around the world learn from the project's findings. The first set of data, from 80 to 100 people, was released shortly after the project began.

Powerful Brain Scanners

Scientists at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) use incredibly powerful MRI scanners for this project. They are pushing the limits of what these machines can do. One scanner at MGH is among the most powerful in the world.

The Super Scanner's Power

This special scanner was built just for the Human Connectome Project. Its magnets need a massive amount of electricity – about 22 megawatts (MW). To give you an idea, that's enough power to run a nuclear submarine! This scanner is "4 to 8 times as powerful as conventional systems." This extra power allows it to take much clearer and more detailed pictures of the human brain than ever before.

What the Scans Reveal

The detailed images from these powerful scanners show how various centers in the brain are connected to each other. By mapping these connections, scientists can learn more about how our brains work and what happens when these connections are different or damaged.

Images for kids

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  A robot thinking about the human brain.