Sheepish Science: Learning Neuroscience by Dissecting Sheep Brains

At the Advanced Medical and Neuroscience Internship, interns recently embarked on the exciting adventure of dissecting sheep brains. Led by Dr. Galam A. Khan from the Georgetown Brain Bank, interns were led into the intricate world of the brain and neuroscience. From the first incision into the sheep brain, interns were able to explore the pathways that shape our thoughts and actions. Each moment offered a deeper understanding of the brain’s complexities that is only possible to convey through valuable hands-on experiences such as this. 

The journey began with excitement and curiosity as the interns prepared to delve into the inner workings of the brain. Guided by Dr. Khan, he shared his expertise on the brain and showed interns the structures of the brain on the sheep brains that are similar to human brains. Interns were fascinated by how various parts of the brain look. Kayla Greenwood expressed, “The cerebellum was designed in a beautiful structure and enhanced my fascination for the brain dissection. I enjoyed viewing the “tree of life” and intersecting the brain stem to further see the different regions. Dr. Khan also explained the difference between the grey and white space within the brain, allowing me to gain a further understanding of its cognitive function.” 

Interns continued to gain a deeper appreciation for the brain. Elyse Smith said, “The dissection allowed me to see the pathways, outlets, and channels the brain uses to truly allow cognitive function to be possible.” Through the dissections, interns were able to gain further insight into how their own minds work. 

Cecilia Adamonis had a few words to say about the texture and the physical appearance of the sheep brains. She said, “The most surprising discovery I made during the dissection was how soft a sheep brain is. This enhanced my understanding on how intricate the human brain is and how many layers are upon it to make it a harder texture.” 

Throughout the dissection, the interns encountered firsthand the complexity of the brain. From identifying key regions like the hippocampus and the cortex to tracing pathways that facilitate cognition, each moment brought the interns key knowledge about the brains. Through this dissection, interns gained a newfound understanding of how various brain structures influence human cognition and behavior.