Einstein's unique brain structure may explain his high IQ
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2012 22:11 PM

Albert Einstein, the brilliant physicist behind the theory of relativity, is believed to have never taken an IQ test. However, it is assumed that the German-born genius had an IQ around 160.

Today, when people set out to take an IQ test, they may hope to achieve a score that is close to or better than Einstein's. While this is certainly possible, how they perform on the assessment may come down to how similar their brain is to that of the late theoretical physicist.

In a recent study, Dean Falk, an evolutionary anthropologist at Florida State University, and colleagues set out to examine the unique appearance of Einstein's brain. Following his death in 1955, Einstein's brain was removed and photographed from multiple angles. While multiple pictures were taken, very few exist today. The researchers behind this study had an opportunity to examine 14 of them.

"Although the overall size and asymmetrical shape of Einstein's brain were normal, the prefrontal, somatosensory, primary motor, parietal, temporal and occipital cortices were extraordinary," said Falk. "These may have provided the neurological underpinnings for some of his visuospatial and mathematical abilities, for instance."