A new study provides the best evidence to date that the connection patterns between various parts of the human brain can tell scientists the specialized functions of each region.

Previous research has shown the relationship between connectivity and brain function for just one or a few functions, such as perception or social interactions.

But this study goes further by providing a “bird’s eye view” of the whole brain and its many functions, said Kelly Hiersche, lead author of the study and doctoral student in psychology at The Ohio State University.