The secret of Einstein's immense intellect may finally have been uncovered. One area of his brain was significantly different from most people's.

Albert Einstein died in 1955, at the age of 76. His brain was then removed and preserved for scientific research. Scientists at McMaster University, Canada compared the size and shape of Einstein's brain with those of 35 men and 56 women with average intelligence.

In general, Einstein's brain was the same as all the others except one particular area-the region responsible for mathematical thought and the ability to think in terms of space and movement.

Extensive development of this region meant that his brain was 15% wider than the other brains studied.

Uniquely Einstein's brain also lacked a groove that normally runs through this area. The researchers suggest that its absence may have allowed the neurons to communicate much more easily.

This unusual brain anatomy may explain why Einstein thought the way he did. Einstein allowed his brain to be studied after his death.

Ref: Mathematics today