We don't know much about the brain. Scientists and researchers have poked and prodded parts of our most complex organ for centuries, giving names to the most obvious parts. But we still lack answers to fundamental questions, like what the brain does with most of its energy, or how diseases make neurons in the brain affect each other.

A researcher at IBM has uncovered what could be a start to these answers: a model for what the brain does at rest, when it's not reading or thinking or cooking you breakfast. IBM neuroscientist James Kozloski calls it "the Grand Loop."

"The brain consumes a great amount of energy doing nothing. It's a great mystery of neuroscience," Kozloski said. "You don't spend that much energy on noise unless there's a really good reason."