Keith Hengen
Systems Neuroscientist
Keith is an associate professor of biology at Washington University in Saint Louis. He studies how computation emerges from biological systems. Keith's laboratory uses cutting-edge systems neuroscience tools, theory, and molecular manipulations to shed light on why we sleep, how our brains support rich and diverse functions, and how disease impacts information moving through networks of neurons. His research is funded by NIH.
Session: Mind
Brain Criticality
How Sleep Unlocks the Power of the Brain
When you're awake, all your brain’s functions gradually deteriorate. Sleep somehow restores them and may hold the key to understanding how brains operate—by tuning them to the edge of chaos. Understanding this tipping point helps explain the incredible power of the brain, offering insights that connect evolution, development, and neurological disease.
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