Brain Initiative

Brain plan start time: 2011
Board of Directors
Patron
The Right
Honourable David Johnston
C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D.
Former Governor General of Canada
Chair
Naomi Azrieli, DPhil.
Chair and CEO
The Azrieli Foundation (Toronto)
Science Advisory Council
Chair
Sheena Josselyn, Ph.D.
Senior Scientist, Neurosciences & Mental Health Program, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute;
Canada Research Chair in Molecular and Cellular Cognition;
Associate Professor, Department of Physiology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto
Area of expertise: Cognition and Behaviour
By the end of June of 2019, the Canada Brain Research Fund had allocated $250 million in new funding to support 300 projects across Canada involving more than 1000 researchers at more than 115 institutions. Brain Canada is creating a space which enables collaborations involving a constellation of partners across sectors and researchers from different disciplines. Brain Canada plays a unique and invaluable role as the national convenor of the community of those who support and advance brain research. A greater understanding of how the brain works will contribute to the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure of disorders of the brain, thereby improving the health outcomes of Canadians. Brain Canada’s main areas of focus are fundraising, granting and strengthening the brain research community.
One Brain
We now know that the brain is a single, complex and integrated system with common mechanisms across disorders thanks to advances in research and technology. The One Brain approach means that every discovery has the potential to have an impact across a spectrum of brain disorders, as well as on our understanding of brain functioning. With Brain Canada’s support, researchers broaden their perspective, widen their scope of inquiry, and connect with scientists across disciplines, leading to insights into specific mechanisms and disorders, as well as their interconnections. Along with increased potential to address disorders, brain research is driving innovations in artificial intelligence, as well as insights into brain plasticity and deep learning. One Community
Brain Canada convenes and strengthens Canada’s brain community, which encompasses researchers and clinicians (and their institutions), governments, voluntary health organizations, philanthropists, business and community leaders, patients and caregivers. Brain Canada facilitates linkages with the global brain science community: the exceptional quality of Canadian research contributes to broad technological, data-driven initiatives, as well as to bottom-up initiatives in labs from multiple countries. Brain research extends beyond neuroscience to include, for example, genetics, chemistry, engineering, mathematics, computer science, the social sciences. History
Since our founding in 1998, Brain Canada has significantly increased funding for brain research. We have established a track-record of success funding multidisciplinary research that pursues paradigm-changing ideas, and partnering with those who share our commitment to brain research. In 2011, the Canada Brain Research Fund (CBRF) was established and became the largest national fund in Canadian history devoted to brain research.
1998 What would eventually be called Brain Canada is established under the name NeuroScience Canada Partnership and Foundation.
2001 Launched the Brain Repair program.
2006 Published The Case for Canada’s Increased Investment in Brain Research, which provided a calculation for the economic burden of brain disorders as one grouping.
2008 Rallied health charities to speak with one voice to the government for a brain strategy.
2010 Approached the Government of Canada to form a partnership to support brain research.
2011 Changed name to Brain Canada Foundation to better reflect the focus on the brain, not only neuroscience. Established the Canada Brain Research Fund – a partnership with the government to match $100 million over five years.
2015 Reached $100 million goal, 18 months ahead of schedule, for a total investment of $200 million.
2016 Budget 2016 included an additional $20 million in matching funds for the CRBF, bringing the total fund to a potential $240 million.
2019 Announced in Budget 2019, Health Canada committed an additional $40 million to be matched

Brain plan start time: 2016
Principal Responsible Person
Neurovascular unit Research Group:Won-jong Oh,Ph.D.,Hyun Ho Lim,Ph.D.,Hyungju Park,Ph.D.,ByoungCheol Lee,Ph.D.
Sensory&motor systems Research Group:Jong Cheol Rah,Ph.D.,Satoshi Kojima,Ph.D.,Joon Ho Choi,Ph.D.
-Executive Summary-
The study of the mind and brain is the last frontier in science. By accelerating brain research, we hope to envision a comprehensive understanding of the human behavior, open the road to treatments that can prevent and cure brain diseases, develop innovative approaches and strategies to cope with a rapidly ageing society. Since 2013, many countries have launched large long-term research projects with the goal of revolutionizing our understanding of the human brain and uncovering the mysteries of neurological disorders. Along with this global trend, the government of Korea has developed a bold and ambitious plan for advancing brain science and for stimulating science-industry interaction under its administrative agenda “creative economy.” The Ministry of Science, ICT, and Future Planning (MSIP) formed a working group of advisory committee, composed of experts from academia, research institutes, and businesses, to develop a 10-year plan to revolutionize brain science. With their commitment, in-depth research on scientific policies and trends in neuroscience was performed, and the government of Korea has announced the “Korea Brain Initiative” on 30th May 2016. The grand plan features the development of neurotechnology and reinforcement of the neuroscience ecosystem with a vision to advance brain science by enhancing the local, national, and global networks. The Korea Brain Initiative includes an expected role of brain science to drive the fourth industrial revolution, and aims at understanding the principles of high brain function, producing a new dynamic picture of healthy and diseased brains, developing personalized treatment for mental and neurological disorders by extrapolating the concept of precision medicine, and stimulating the interaction between scientific institutes, academia and industry. In pursuing goals of developing innovative neurotechnology as well as advancing brain research ecosystem, a dual track strategy is employed where ecosystem functions to bridge the gap between basic and applied research. Each strategy holds four specific tasks as follows:
Strategic R&D
1 To construct brain maps at multi-scale Korea Brain Initiative plans a two tract strategy to understanding how the brain works and how disease occurs. One tract focuses on unraveling the structural and mechanistic basis of high brain function and the other focuses on understanding the progression of neurological disorders, especially those related to ageing. Two types of “specialized brain maps” are expected to be developed by 2023. In addition, this two-tract strategy will support the development and application of structural and functional mapping technologies that can be applied at micro, meso, and macro levels.
2 To initiate multidisciplinary projects One of the Korea Brain Initiative’s most important goals is to stimulate the development of technologies that are fusing the physical, digital, and biological worlds and play a major role in driving the neuroindustry. Development of techniques for multi-scale imaging, and generating brain organoids are a few examples of the many possible convergence R&D projects.
3 To strengthen AI-related R&D Brain science is seen as a key to the development of next generation computer technology. By promoting linked R&D between natural intelligence (NI) and artificial intelligence (AI), advanced AI algorithms and modellings are expected to be developed, making excellent breakthrough for the fourth industrial revolution.
4 To intensify personalized medicine for mental and neurological disorders We hope to develop cutting-edge precision medicine technologies to prevent and diagnose neurological disorders and develop customized disease-prevention and treatment strategies for brain disorders.
Neuroscience Ecosystem Reinforcement
1 To foster multidisciplinary research by training individuals We hope to broaden the perspectives of brain researchers and raise experts trained in multiple disciplines through MD-PhD programs and academia-research institute collaborative training programs.
2 To build a pipeline to facilitate the exchange of resources To this end, plans for establishing guidelines to treat human brain tissue, building accessible databases to share and store data, and creating core facility to provide research equipments are included.
3 To enhance local, national, and global networks Strengthening interaction at multiple levels and strategic networking are essential to solve challenging issues of brain science. When it comes to brain mapping, establishing a collaborative network by joining global brain research consortium would facilitate the task.
4 To prepare for future neuroindustry One of the Korea Brain Initiative’s goals is to build a framework for industrialization of cutting-edge neuroscience. Thus, it is essential to embark on lab-to-bench R&D for practical application of the research achievements and to establish neuroindustry clusters in the future.

Brain plan start time: 2016
Understanding the human brain is one of the greatest challenges of our time and we are on the cusp of a revolution in brain sciences.
Accelerated advances in technologies are allowing researchers to understand, modify and interface with the brain in unprecedented ways; enabling the treatment of devastating brain disorders, enrich education and learning, and facilitate the development of neurotech-based industries.
Other international brain initiatives are tackling the fundamental and momentus challenge of mapping the trillions of connections in the brain. To complement this effort, Australia has an opportunity to focus on understanding brain function; cracking the brain’s code through cutting-edge research, new partnerships between academia and industry and the translation of this new knowledge to schools, hospitals and Australian workplaces.
Australia also leads the world in neuroprosthetics – the technology that links the brain to devices. We are now in a position to lead revolutionary high-tech industries based on neurotechnology.
New brain-machine interfaces as well as stimulating and recording devices are using information about the brain to produce smarter, implantable and wearable devices that can relieve pain, restore sensory and motor function, treat debilitating brain disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and drive genuine progress for the delivery of highly personalised mental health care.
The Australian Brain Initiative will:
Make major advances in understanding healthy, optimal brain function. Create advanced industries based on this unique understanding of the brain. Identify causes and develop novel treatments for debilitating brain disorders. Produce sustainable, collaborative networks of frontline brain researchers with the capacity to unlock the mysteries of the brain and ensure the social, health and economic benefit of all Australians.
CRACK THE CODE FOR HEALTH
The coming decade will see significant advances in the diagnosis and treatment of brain disease and disability. With a national commitment, we can transform the lives of many thousands of Australians.An Australian Brain Initiative will:
• Maximise Australia’s contribution to global progress by strategic investment in areas where our research strengths and capabilities are unique.
• Open access to promising breakthrough therapies for Australians, in Australia, by boosting our reputation as destination of choice for clinical trials.
• Develop the technology expertise to support the roll-out of new therapies into mainstream care.
CRACK THE CODE FOR INDUSTRY AND JOBS
The economic opportunities of the future will be powered by the study of the brain – from brain-linked devices like the Bionic Eye, to brain-inspired technologies like artificial intelligence. With a national commitment, we can maximise the opportunities for Australian firms.
An Australian Brain Initiative will:
• Put Australian researchers and companies in the opportunity zone for first-to-market technologies, through access to global projects and platforms.
• Develop strong relationships between researchers, industry, healthcare providers and consumers in Australia.
• Provide pathways for researchers seeking to commercialise their discoveries and tools. CRACK THE CODE FOR NEXT-GENERATION SCIENCES
Brain research is the epicentre of modern science. Its methods and discoveries are transforming the way that all science is practised, and its projects are highly attractive to the researchers Australia needs: talented, ambitious, and driven. With a national commitment, we can thrive at the frontier of science.
An Australian Brain Initiative will:
• Foster the next generation of brain research leaders.
• Attract early-career researchers to Australia to progress and commercialise their work.
• Position Australia at the forefront of highgrowth,high-competition fields, including artificial intelligence and high-performance computing.　

Brain plan start time: 2013
Short Overview of the Human Brain Project
The Human Brain Project (HBP) is building a research infrastructure to help advance neuroscience, medicine, and computing. It is one of four FET (Future and Emerging Technology) Flagships, the largest scientific projects ever funded by the European Union. The 10-year Project began in 2013 and directly employs some 500 scientists at more than 100 universities, teaching hospitals, and research centres across Europe.
Six ICT research Platforms form the heart of the HBP infrastructure:
1，Neuroinformatics (access to shared brain data) The Neuroinformatics Platform serves as the Human Brain Project's search engine for distributed data, curated data repositories, brain atlases and knowledge about the brain.The Platform consists of APIs for querying and a web-based platform and application programming interface (APIs), i.e. a set of standards, protocols and tools for building software applications. Users can search and collate high quality neuroscience data generated within and outside the HBP. Data can be examined by species, contributing laboratory, methodology, brain region, and data type, thereby allowing functionality not currently available elsewhere. The data are predominantly organized into atlases (HBP Strategic Rodent Brain Atlases and HBP Human Brain Atlases) and linked to the KnowledgeSpace – a collaborative community-based encyclopaedia linking brain research concepts to the latest data, models and literature. For more information on and access to the platform go to https://collab.humanbrainproject.eu/#/collab/47/nav/6641
2，Brain Simulation (replication of brain architecture and activity on computers) The Brain Simulation Platform is part of the Human Brain Project (HBP) platform ecosystem. It aims at providing scientists with powerful tools to reconstruct and simulate scaffold models of brain and brain tissue in a data-driven fashion. Its development is embedded in Subproject 6 of the HBP, where a tight co-design loop between science and engineering ensures the required substantial technical and scientific innovations. As a result, the unique functionality of the Platform allows novel questions to be addressed, which could previously not be researched. For more information on and access to the platform, go to bsp.humanbrainproject.eu
3，High Performance Analytics and Computing (providing the required computing and analytics capabilities) The Guidebook of the Human Brain Project‘s High Performance Analytics & Computing (HPAC) Platform serves as a collection of all user documentation for the software tools, libraries, frameworks and programming models available as part of the HPAC Platform. The goal of the HPAC Platform is to build, integrate and operate the hardware and software components of the supercomputing, data and visualisation infrastructure required to: Run large-scale, data intensive, interactive multi-scale brain simulations up to the size of a full human brain. Manage the large amounts of data used and produced by the simulations, and Manage complex workflows comprising concurrent simulation, data analysis and visualisation workloads.
4，Medical Informatics (access to patient data, identification of disease signatures) The aim of the Medical Informatics Platform is to provide researchers the ability to access and analyse large amounts of anonymised clinical data from hospital, research, and pharmaceutical clinical trial databases through an innovative data management system that we are building. The system integrates heterogeneous data formats seamlessly and federates data sources into a harmonized virtual database with a customized interface for navigation and data mining. The patterns discovered in the data ("biological signatures" which uniquely identify diseases) will generate new hypotheses about brain diseases for investigation and will lead to their novel classification, the latter based on biological, physiological and anatomical features in addition to the classical patterns of phenomenology expressed in symptoms, signs and syndromes. The data will also be available to answer public health and medical epidemiological questions proposed by the community of medical scientists and planners. In the long run our vision is that unlocking the wealth of information locked up in medical and research databases will provide a credible and rapid path to precision (or personalized) medical care. For more information on and access to the platform go to https://mip.humanbrainproject.eu
5，Neuromorphic Computing (development of brain-inspired computing) The Neuromorphic Computing Platform developed in the Human Brain Project (HBP) provides remote access to two complementary, large-scale neuromorphic computing systems (NCS) built in custom hardware at locations in Heidelberg (the BrainScaleS system) and Manchester (the SpiNNaker system). The NCS are programmable, brain-inspired computing devices which enable high-speed, low-energy simulations of spiking neural networks with synaptic plasticity. The BrainScaleS system is based on physical (analogue or mixed-signal) emulations of neuron, synapse and plasticity models with digital connectivity, running up to ten thousand times faster than real time. The SpiNNaker system is based on numerical models running in real time on custom digital multicore chips using the ARM architecture. Models and simulation experiments are described in a Python script using the PyNN API. Access to the system will be based on peer-reviewed proposals, as is commonly done for traditional HPC resources. Development accounts will also be available. For more information on and access to the platform go to https://collab.humanbrainproject.eu
6，Neurorobotics (use of robots to test brain simulations) The Neurorobotics Platform is an Internet-accessible simulation system that allows the simulation of robots controlled by spiking neural networks. For general information visit neurorobotics.net If you want to access video tutorials, example experiments, etc. please check out the HBP Collaboratory at https://collab.humanbrainproject.eu The HBP also undertakes targeted research and theoretical studies, and explores brain structure and function in humans, rodents and other species. In addition, the Project studies the ethical and societal implications of HBP’s work.

Brain plan start time: 2014
Principal Responsible Person
Program Supervisor　プログラムスーパーバイザー Shigeo Okabe Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo
Executive Summary
In parallel with brain projects in the US and Europe, Japan formulated its own project based on the following three objectives: to focus on studies of non-human primate brains that will directly link to better understanding of the human brain; to elucidate the neural networks involved in such brain disorders as dementia and depression; and to promote close cooperation between basic and clinical research related to the brain. Dubbed Brain Mapping by Integrated Neurotechnologies for Disease Studies (Brain/MINDS), this new project was launched in fiscal 2014 and started to integrate new technologies and clinical research. In this program, challenging goals will be achieved through long-term researches carried out by linking core research institutions nationwide. In 2018, a sister program called “Brain/MINDS Beyond” was initiated and expected to facilitate international collaboration and data sharing. From 2019, the second half of the research term started with appointment of new research teams for clinical neuroscience and innovative neurotechnologies. As the program supervisor for this massive project, we work to expand cooperation among a broad range of scientists to apply novel ideas and technologies that will pioneer new frontiers in brain science. We are hopeful that the results will lead to fundamental understanding of neural network that realizes cognitive functions unique to human, identification of the damaged network caused by brain disease, and improved diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric and neurological disorders. The main aim of this project is to develop genetically modified marmosets to elucidate the pathophysiology of human brain diseases. To achieve this, we will develop technologies required for producing such animal models, construct a map of primate structure/function and make a database that holds associated data, alongside innovative analysis techniques.
1.Brain mapping and analysis of genetically-modified marmosets Hideyuki Okano Marmoset Neural Architecture, RIKEN Center for Brain Science / School of Medicine, Keio University
2.Generation and analysis of non-human primate models of Alzheimer’s disease Takaomi Saido Proteolytic Neuroscience, RIKEN Center for Brain Science
3.Tracer map of the marmoset brain Tetsuo Yamamori Molecular Analysis of Higher Brain Function, RIKEN Center for Brain Science
4.Generation of marmoset gene atlas Tomomi Shimogori Molecular Mechanisms of Brain Development, RIKEN Center for Brain Science
5.Development of a high-performance, wide and contiguous field-of-view two-photon microscope Masanori Murayama Haptic Perception and Cognitive Physiology, RIKEN Center for Brain Science
6.Structure, function, and molecular mechanism of the brain Atsushi Miyawaki Cell Function Dynamics,RIKEN Center for Brain Science
7.Development of database, data analysis methods, and new MRI techniques Keiji Tanaka Cognitive Brain Mapping, RIKEN Center for Brain Science
8. Development of animal resources for structural and functional analyses of primate brains Hiroyuki Kamiguchi Deputy Director, RIKEN Center for Brain Science
9.Project management and promotion Shigeyoshi Itohara Brain/MINDS office, RIKEN Center for Brain Science
Research on Neurodegenerative Disease Marmoset Models
This project involves the production and breeding of neurodegenerative disease marmoset models using gene modification technology. We develop efficient production and breeding methods using developmental engineering technology. We will generate mainly animal models for neurodegenerative diseases, such as dementia, which we will distribute to many researchers.
Research on Wild Type Marmosets
We will improve the breeding environment and mating/breeding technology to establish a method for breeding wild type marmosets suitable for brain science research. We will study the interactions of gene and environment for wild type marmosets. The results will allow them to be stably distributed to researchers to support brain science research.

Brain plan start time: 2014
Executive Secretary General
Dr. boric Jorgenson of the National Institutes of health
Dr Cornelia bargmann (co chair)
Rockefeller University
Dr. William Newsome (co chair)
Stanford University
Executive Summary
The human brain is the source of our thoughts, emotions, perceptions, actions, and memories; it confers on us the abilities that make us human, while simultaneously making each of us unique. Over recent years, neuroscience has advanced to the level that we can envision a comprehensive understanding of the brain in action, spanning molecules, cells, circuits, systems, and behavior. This vision, in turn, inspired the BRAIN Initiative. On April 2, 2013, President Obama launched the BRAIN Initiative to “accelerate the development and application of new technologies that will enable researchers to produce dynamic pictures of the brain that show how individual brain cells and complex neural circuits interact at the speed of thought.” In response to this Grand Challenge, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) convened a working group of the Advisory Committee to the Director, NIH, to develop a rigorous plan for achieving this scientific vision. This report presents the findings and recommendations of the working group, including the scientific background and rationale for the BRAIN Initiative as a whole and for each of seven major goals articulated in the report. In addition, we include specific deliverables, timelines, and cost estimates for these goals as requested by the NIH Director. The charge from the President and from the NIH Director is bold and ambitious. The working group agreed that the best way to set this vision in motion is to accelerate technology development, as reflected in the name of the BRAIN Initiative: “Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies.” The focus is not on technology per se, but on the development and use of tools for acquiring fundamental insight about how the nervous system functions in health and disease. The initiative is only one part of the NIH’s investment in basic, translational, and clinical neuroscience, but neurotechnology should advance other areas as well. To achieve these goals, we recommend that the BRAIN Initiative develop over a ten-year period beginning in FY2016, with a primary focus on technology development in the first five years, shifting in the second five years to a primary focus on integrating technologies to make fundamental new discoveries about the brain. The distinction between these phases is not black and white, but rather is a matter of emphasis and opportunity. Discovery-based science will motivate technology development in the first phase, and further technology development will be needed as the focus shifts to discovery in later years. In considering these goals and the current state of neuroscience, the working group identified the analysis of circuits of interacting neurons as being particularly rich in opportunity, with potential for revolutionary advances. Truly understanding a circuit requires identifying and characterizing the component cells, defining their synaptic connections with one another, observing their dynamic patterns of activity as the circuit functions in vivo during behavior, and perturbing these patterns to test their significance. It also requires an understanding of the algorithms that govern information processing within a circuit and between interacting circuits in the brain as a whole. The analysis of circuits is not the only area of neuroscience worthy of attention, but advances in technology are driving a qualitative shift in what is possible, and focused progress in this area will benefit many other areas of neuroscience. With these considerations in mind, the working group consulted extensively with the scientific community to evaluate challenges and opportunities in the field. The following areas were identified as high priorities for the BRAIN Initiative. These goals are intellectually and practically expanded in Sections II and III of this report.
1.Discovering diversity: Identify and provide experimental access to the different brain cell types to determine their roles in health and disease. It is within reach to characterize all cell types in the nervous system, and to develop tools to record, mark, and manipulate these precisely defined neurons in the living brain. We envision an integrated, systematic census of neuronal and glial cell types, and new genetic and non-genetic tools to deliver genes, proteins, and chemicals to cells of interest in non-human animals and in humans.
2.Maps at multiple scales: Generate circuit diagrams that vary in resolution from synapses to the whole brain. It is increasingly possible to map connected neurons in local circuits and distributed brain systems, enabling an understanding of the relationship between neuronal structure and function. We envision improved technologies—faster, less expensive, scalable—for anatomic reconstruction of neural circuits at all scales, from non-invasive whole human brain imaging to dense reconstruction of synaptic inputs and outputs at the subcellular level.
3.The brain in action: Produce a dynamic picture of the functioning brain by developing and applying improved methods for large-scale monitoring of neural activity. We should seize the challenge of recording dynamic neuronal activity from complete neural networks, over long periods, in all areas of the brain. There are promising opportunities both for improving existing technologies and for developing entirely new technologies for neuronal recording, including methods based on electrodes, optics, molecular genetics, and nanoscience, and encompassing different facets of brain activity.
4.Demonstrating causality: Link brain activity to behavior with precise interventional tools that change neural circuit dynamics. By directly activating and inhibiting populations of neurons, neuroscience is progressing from observation to causation, and much more is possible. To enable the immense potential of circuit manipulation, a new generation of tools for optogenetics, chemogenetics, and biochemical and electromagnetic modulation should be developed for use in animals and eventually in human patients.
5.Identifying fundamental principles: Produce conceptual foundations for understanding the biological basis of mental processes through development of new theoretical and data analysis tools. Rigorous theory, modeling, and statistics are advancing our understanding of complex, nonlinear brain functions where human intuition fails. New kinds of data are accruing at increasing rates, mandating new methods of data analysis and interpretation. To enable progress in theory and data analysis, we must foster collaborations between experimentalists and scientists from statistics, physics, mathematics, engineering, and computer science.
6.Advancing human neuroscience: Develop innovative technologies to understand the human brain and treat its disorders; create and support integrated human brain research networks. Consenting humans who are undergoing diagnostic brain monitoring, or receiving neurotechnology for clinical applications, provide an extraordinary opportunity for scientific research. This setting enables research on human brain function, the mechanisms of human brain disorders, the effect of therapy, and the value of diagnostics. Meeting this opportunity requires closely integrated research teams performing according to the highest ethical standards of clinical care and research. New mechanisms are needed to maximize the collection of this priceless information and ensure that it benefits people with brain disorders.
7.From BRAIN Initiative to the brain: Integrate new technological and conceptual approaches produced in Goals #1-6 to discover how dynamic patterns of neural activity are transformed into cognition, emotion, perception, and action in health and disease. The most important outcome of the BRAIN Initiative will be a comprehensive, mechanistic understanding of mental function that emerges from synergistic application of the new technologies and conceptual structures developed under the BRAIN Initiative.

We now know that the brain is a single, complex and integrated system with common mechanisms across disorders thanks to advances in research and technology. The One Brain approach means that every discovery has the potential to have an impact across a spectrum of brain disorders, as well as on our understanding of brain functioning. With Brain Canada’s support, researchers broaden their perspective, widen their scope of inquiry, and connect with scientists across disciplines, leading to insights into specific mechanisms and disorders, as well as their interconnections. Along with increased potential to address disorders, brain research is driving innovations in artificial intelligence, as well as insights into brain plasticity and deep learning. One Community Brain Canada convenes and strengthens Canada’s brain community, which encompasses researchers and clinicians (and their institutions), governments, voluntary health organizations, philanthropists, business and community leaders, patients and caregivers. Brain Canada facilitates linkages with the global brain science community: the exceptional quality of Canadian research contributes to broad technological, data-driven initiatives, as well as to bottom-up initiatives in labs from multiple countries. Brain research extends beyond neuroscience to include, for example, genetics, chemistry, engineering, mathematics, computer science, the social sciences. History

Neuroscience Ecosystem Reinforcement
1 To foster multidisciplinary research by training individuals We hope to broaden the perspectives of brain researchers and raise experts trained in multiple disciplines through MD-PhD programs and academia-research institute collaborative training programs.
2 To build a pipeline to facilitate the exchange of resources To this end, plans for establishing guidelines to treat human brain tissue, building accessible databases to share and store data, and creating core facility to provide research equipments are included.
3 To enhance local, national, and global networks Strengthening interaction at multiple levels and strategic networking are essential to solve challenging issues of brain science. When it comes to brain mapping, establishing a collaborative network by joining global brain research consortium would facilitate the task.
4 To prepare for future neuroindustry One of the Korea Brain Initiative’s goals is to build a framework for industrialization of cutting-edge neuroscience. Thus, it is essential to embark on lab-to-bench R&D for practical application of the research achievements and to establish neuroindustry clusters in the future.

Make major advances in understanding healthy, optimal brain function. Create advanced industries based on this unique understanding of the brain. Identify causes and develop novel treatments for debilitating brain disorders. Produce sustainable, collaborative networks of frontline brain researchers with the capacity to unlock the mysteries of the brain and ensure the social, health and economic benefit of all Australians. CRACK THE CODE FOR HEALTH The coming decade will see significant advances in the diagnosis and treatment of brain disease and disability. With a national commitment, we can transform the lives of many thousands of Australians.An Australian Brain Initiative will:

Short Overview of the Human Brain Project The Human Brain Project (HBP) is building a research infrastructure to help advance neuroscience, medicine, and computing. It is one of four FET (Future and Emerging Technology) Flagships, the largest scientific projects ever funded by the European Union. The 10-year Project began in 2013 and directly employs some 500 scientists at more than 100 universities, teaching hospitals, and research centres across Europe. Six ICT research Platforms form the heart of the HBP infrastructure:

From BRAIN Initiative to the brain: Integrate new technological and conceptual approaches produced in Goals #1-6 to discover how dynamic patterns of neural activity are transformed into cognition, emotion, perception, and action in health and disease. The most important outcome of the BRAIN Initiative will be a comprehensive, mechanistic understanding of mental function that emerges from synergistic application of the new technologies and conceptual structures developed under the BRAIN Initiative. Research on Neurodegenerative Disease Marmoset Models This project involves the production and breeding of neurodegenerative disease marmoset models using gene modification technology. We develop efficient production and breeding methods using developmental engineering technology. We will generate mainly animal models for neurodegenerative diseases, such as dementia, which we will distribute to many researchers. Research on Wild Type Marmosets We will improve the breeding environment and mating/breeding technology to establish a method for breeding wild type marmosets suitable for brain science research. We will study the interactions of gene and environment for wild type marmosets. The results will allow them to be stably distributed to researchers to support brain science research.

12323The human brain is the source of our thoughts, emotions, perceptions, actions, and memories; it confers on us the abilities that make us human, while simultaneously making each of us unique. Over recent years, neuroscience has advanced to the level that we can envision a comprehensive understanding of the brain in action, spanning molecules, cells, circuits, systems, and behavior. This vision, in turn, inspired the BRAIN Initiative. On April 2, 2013, President Obama launched the BRAIN Initiative to “accelerate the development and application of new technologies that will enable researchers to produce dynamic pictures of the brain that show how individual brain cells and complex neural circuits interact at the speed of thought.” In response to this Grand Challenge, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) convened a working group of the Advisory Committee to the Director, NIH, to develop a rigorous plan for achieving this scientific vision. This report presents the findings and recommendations of the working group, including the scientific background and rationale for the BRAIN Initiative as a whole and for each of seven major goals articulated in the report. In addition, we include specific deliverables, timelines, and cost estimates for these goals as requested by the NIH Director. The charge from the President and from the NIH Director is bold and ambitious. The working group agreed that the best way to set this vision in motion is to accelerate technology development, as reflected in the name of the BRAIN Initiative: “Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies.” The focus is not on technology per se, but on the development and use of tools for acquiring fundamental insight about how the nervous system functions in health and disease. The initiative is only one part of the NIH’s investment in basic, translational, and clinical neuroscience, but neurotechnology should advance other areas as well. To achieve these goals, we recommend that the BRAIN Initiative develop over a ten-year period beginning in FY2016, with a primary focus on technology development in the first five years, shifting in the second five years to a primary focus on integrating technologies to make fundamental new discoveries about the brain. The distinction between these phases is not black and white, but rather is a matter of emphasis and opportunity. Discovery-based science will motivate technology development in the first phase, and further technology development will be needed as the focus shifts to discovery in later years. In considering these goals and the current state of neuroscience, the working group identified the analysis of circuits of interacting neurons as being particularly rich in opportunity, with potential for revolutionary advances. Truly understanding a circuit requires identifying and characterizing the component cells, defining their synaptic connections with one another, observing their dynamic patterns of activity as the circuit functions in vivo during behavior, and perturbing these patterns to test their significance. It also requires an understanding of the algorithms that govern information processing within a circuit and between interacting circuits in the brain as a whole. The analysis of circuits is not the only area of neuroscience worthy of attention, but advances in technology are driving a qualitative shift in what is possible, and focused progress in this area will benefit many other areas of neuroscience. With these considerations in mind, the working group consulted extensively with the scientific community to evaluate challenges and opportunities in the field. The following areas were identified as high priorities for the BRAIN Initiative. These goals are intellectually and practically expanded in Sections II and III of this report.