New imaging tools are allowing scientists to learn more and more about the brain. And one of the things they can now show is the incredible diversity of the human brain. Every adult has distinctive brain patterns—a brain “fingerprint” that identifies them individually. At the same time, some people have certain characteristics in common that may help researchers identify medical conditions, such as Alzheimer’s or schizophrenia, even before they are outwardly presented.

Learn more about how this science might be used, here on Smithsonianmag.