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Einstein's brain has become the stuff of legend: In 1999, TIME magazine honored the disheveled-haired physicist as its Person of the Century, dubbing him a "genius among geniuses" whose grasp of the cosmos symbolized the "quintessence of pure intellect."
Few are aware that shortly after his passing in 1955, Einstein's brain was extracted, photographed from multiple perspectives, and divided into 240 sections — all in the name of advancing the scientific disciplines he cherished. Over the years, many of these photographs were lost or misplaced. Recently, an analysis of 14 rediscovered images confirms what many have long suspected: Einstein's brain, as reported by Doyle Rice at USA Today, "was superior to yours." Though not immediately obvious.
A study conducted by Florida State University reveals that Einstein's brain, prior to dissection, didn't seem remarkably different from an average brain. "While the overall size and asymmetrical shape of Einstein's brain were within the normal range," notes study author Dean Falk, an evolutionary anthropologist at Florida State University, "certain areas, including the prefrontal, somatosensory, primary motor, parietal, temporal, and occipital cortices, were truly exceptional."
The prefrontal cortex, responsible for abstract thinking and analyzing thoughts, processes sensory information before decision-making. It is often considered the most "strongly linked" indicator of intelligence. Examination of the photographs showed that Einstein's prefrontal cortex was more intricate and had a significantly larger surface area compared to most individuals, potentially accounting for his "extraordinary cognitive skills," according to Falk.
Sources: TIME, TG Daily, USA Today, WiseGeek
