The brain is wider than the sky

Bold and striking images capturing the beauty and complexity of the brain have gone on display in St Andrew Square, Edinburgh.

Researchers from the University’s Patrick Wild Centre for Research into Autism, Fragile X Syndrome and Intellectual Disabilities have collaborated with the Scottish charity Mindroom, to devise the exhibition.

The pictures showcase world-leading research by the University of Edinburgh that seeks to improve our understanding of the brain and how it is altered in people with learning disabilities and other neurological conditions.

The human brain has more cells than there are stars in the Milky Way and these cells communicate through a thousand times as many connections. Our goal is to understand how even small changes in these connections can have such detrimental effects on learning and memory.

‘The brain - is wider than the sky’ includes arresting snapshots that pinpoint the effects of neurological disorders such as autism and Fragile X Syndrome, the most common cause of inherited intellectual disability.

The 38 images highlight the advanced technologies used by the University to visualise brains and their cells in action.

It is estimated that at least five children in every school class in Scotland are affected by some form of learning difficulty. Mindroom is an independent Scottish charity committed to raising awareness of all types of learning difficulties and to providing advice and support for those who need it.