What Is Brain Mapping? Imagine twenty years ago you wanted to go on a road trip, before GPS technology was invented. You'd rely on a map to navigate from point A to point B, detour around road blocks, visit interesting scenery, and understand the terrain better. Brain mapping is very similar - it's a technique used to show parts of the brain and how they work together. Although this may sound simple, like all things related to the brain, it's a little complex! Scientists say the brain is like the internet. Right now, your brain has about as many neurons, or brain cells, as there are internet pages. The difference is, when you click on a link for pictures of cute kittens, the result is predictable and straightforward: you'll be linked to thousands of images of cuddly felines. However, when neurons in the brain link up, thousands of different paths could be created, and not all of them are predictable. So, creating a map of the brain can benefit science for several reasons.