Unveiling gray and white matter

Let's start with the basics. Understanding the fundamentals of brain structure is crucial when exploring the complexities of artificial intelligence. This page will walk you through the key differences between gray and white matter, and why they matter in the context of AI and cognitive function.  

Gray matter: The brain's processing hub

  1. Gray matter, primarily located on the surface of the brain (the cerebral cortex) and in deeper brain structures like the basal ganglia and thalamus, is composed of neuronal cell bodies.
  2. Think of it as the brain's central processing unit. It's responsible for a wide array of functions including:
  3. The density and activity of gray matter are often correlated with cognitive abilities.

White matter: The brain's communication network

White matter, found beneath the gray matter, consists of myelinated nerve fibres (axons). Myelin is a fatty substance that insulates these fibres, allowing for rapid and efficient communication between different brain regions. Essentially, white matter is the brain's communication network, facilitating the transfer of information.

Key functions include:

Why white matter volume matters

A reduction in white matter volume (WMV) can be caused by aging, neurological diseases, or brain injury, and is associated with cognitive decline, compromised brain function, and increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases. This is a crucial point to remember. Understanding the health of white matter is key to understanding overall brain health.