The second edition of the ‘Encyclopaedia of the Human Brain’ builds on the first edition, with an impressive 6,100 pages and 440 articles, a significant increase from the 224 articles included in the earlier version. Dr. Forkel highlights the collaborative nature of the project. “We paid close attention to diversity—not only in gender but also in geography and academic seniority,” she explains. The contributors come from various fields, including clinical neuroscience, neuroimaging, and anatomy. This range of expertise ensures that the encyclopaedia covers a wide spectrum of topics related to the brain.
However, achieving global representation posed challenges. “The global south is underrepresented in authorship,” Forkel notes. As such, she made it a priority to include voices from underrepresented regions, for example, inviting a team from South Africa to write a chapter. Her dedication to ensuring a broader geographic scope speaks to the comprehensive vision behind the encyclopaedia.
A book instead of papers
According to Dr. Forkel, the encyclopaedia provides a broad overview of brain science, making it easier for readers to grasp the bigger picture. While scientific papers often dive deep into a narrow topic, the encyclopaedia offers a more comprehensive view, covering topics from brain anatomy to functional systems and all the way to clinical applications.
This second edition also brings a structural change that makes it more reader friendly. Unlike the first edition, which was organized alphabetically, the new version takes a thematic, systems-based approach. This structure helps readers connect related topics more easily and enhances their understanding of how different areas of the brain interact.
A resource for All
While the encyclopaedia is a rigorous academic work, Dr. Forkel is keen to stress that it is a valuable resource for everyone, from seasoned neuroscientists to beginners. “If you want to start in a field, this is a go-to reference,” she says. The encyclopaedia covers rapidly advancing areas such as neuroimaging, brain stimulation, and molecular biology. It also includes essential updates on the clinical diagnosis of brain disorders, making it relevant for researchers, clinicians, and students alike.
Despite the wealth of information included in the seven volumes, Forkel notes that the sheer size of the encyclopaedia reflects how much we still don’t know about the brain. " If we fully understood the principles of the human brain, the encyclopaedia would be a single volume. But it spans seven because there’s still so much we have yet to understand and integrate," she remarks, a reminder of the complexity and ongoing nature of neuroscience research.
For anyone interested in exploring the human brain, the encyclopaedia is a great resource. Individual chapters are available for purchase, and Dr. Forkel encourages readers to reach out to the authors if they need more information. ‘Everyone will be happy to share their work while the total encyclopaedia comes at a considerable cost’ she says, underscoring the collaborative spirit of the project. For more information about the encyclopaedia, visit ScienceDirect.