Gray Matter in Einstein’s Brain Reveals Clues to His Genius

Newly uncovered photographs suggest that Einstein’s brain had extraordinary folding patterns in several regions, which may help explain his genius. The photographs, published on Nov. 16 in the journal Brain, reveal that the brilliant physicist had extra folding in the gray matter of his brain — the site of conscious thinking. In particular, the frontal lobes — regions tied to abstract thought and planning — had unusually elaborate folding, according to analysis.

“It’s a really sophisticated part of the human brain,” says Dean Falk, study co-author and an anthropologist at Florida State University, referring to gray matter. “And [Einstein’s] is extraordinary.” For more information, click here to read the full story.