The BRAIN Blog

NIH has issued additional Requests for Applications (RFAs) for the BRAIN Initiative that address critical components of the BRAIN 2025 Report due to their focus on tool development and mechanistic understanding of non-invasive neuromodulation techniques. Further, a re-issued opportunity expands support of early-stage research in large-scale recording and modulation.

The program, part of NSF’s BRAIN Initiative efforts, will open new opportunities to understand complex aspects of neural and cognitive systems through integrative multidisciplinary approaches

A new White House Grand Challenge seeks to develop nanotechnology-based solutions to guide the future of computing.

NIH has re-issued three Requests for Applications (RFAs) for the BRAIN Initiative that address critical components of the BRAIN 2025 Report due to their focus on developing tools to analyze cells and circuits and technologies for large-scale recording and modulation.

Genetic analysis of different populations of neural stem cells indicates that one group of cells—the outer radial glia—gives rise to the majority of neurons in the upper layers of the neocortex that are associated with higher-level information processing and thinking, suggesting that these cells are important mediators of brain evolution.

Researchers have created an expandable, open-source anatomical atlas of the entire zebrafish brain, called the Z-Brain, and mapped onto it whole-brain activity occurring during multiple behaviors

In recent weeks, the NIH BRAIN Initiative released five new requests for applications (RFAs) related to human neuroscience research that range from the development of invasive stimulating and recording devices to investigating non-invasive imaging techniques. These RFAs rely on partnerships between clinicians, laboratory scientists, device manufacturers, and also include a research agreement by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council.

Separate events on Wednesday, October 1 highlighted the awardees of the second round of NIH BRAIN Initiative grants and additional investments by the Kavli Foundation to support the BRAIN Initiative. NIH announced funding of 67 new projects to advance our understanding of neural circuit function and greatly enhance our ability to record from the brain in action.

Cori Bargmann talks with The New York Times about her research and the goals of the BRAIN Initiative

The NIH BRAIN Initiative has released three notices of funding opportunities for partnerships between clinical investigators and manufacturers of the latest-generation implantable stimulating and/or recording devices for clinical neuroscience research in humans.

A central focus of the BRAIN Initiative is development of technologies for recording and modulating neural circuits. Such technologies may be incorporated into devices to be implanted in the brain or spinal cord that can, for example, treat Parkinson’s disease or restore movement in the case of spinal cord injury.