As the whole concept of Creativity in vitro (also) revolves around the figure of the brain, I thought it would be good to surf on the momentum we created and read a book that has been on my shelf for a few years now.

The book by Brazilian neuroscientist Suzana Herculano-Houzel is Our Daily Brain: neuroscience discoveries about daily life. In 47 essays the scientist summarizes important discoveries in neuroscience, in a light and funny way (given that the very goal of the book is to reach the general public and raise interest about neuroscience).

Though I have not yet finished reading the book at the time of writing these words, I’ve already come to learn several interesting facts about this fascinating organ, some of which I share with you below:

• Neurons make up only 2 to 10% of brain cells

• When Einstein died, his brain was removed during the autopsy and cut into 240 pieces

• The brain itself is not sensitive to anything, not touch, not pain (what reminds me of the conversation we had with Marc Dusseiller)

• In 96% of people, the ability for speech is located in the left side of the brain

• New neurons are in fact produced during life, disproving the long-standing belief that these cells do not replicate

• The reason why we cannot remember most of our dreams is the low amount of noradrenaline in the brain during sleep

• Ducks can sleep with only half their brains

I don’t know about you but to me these were quite interesting facts to learn! Unfortunately, the book has not yet been translated to English (although another book by her is!)

Good reading!