
美国脑计划
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.
