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New angles on the brain

In this neuroscience special issue, Nature brings together reporting and expert opinion on efforts to apply current technologies and invent new ones to probe how the brain works. Thanks to such technologies — including those designed to map neural connections down to the level of synapses and ion channels — researchers may be on the verge of opening new vistas in understanding just as long-term programmes in the European Union and United States could together pour more than US$2 billion into the study of the brain over the next decade.

Image credit: Julien Tromeur/Shutterstock

Editorial

  • Head start

    Europe's mega-project to simulate the human brain has much to offer neuroscience research whether or not it delivers on its central promise.

    Nature ( )

World View

News

Features

  • Smart connections

    Computer chips inspired by human neurons can do more with less power.

    Nature ( )

  • BRAIN storm

    Barack Obama announced his BRAIN Initiative on 2 April. Ever since, neuroscientists have been scrambling to figure out what it actually is.

    Nature ( )

Comment

  • My life with Parkinson's

    A neuroscientist reflects on his experience of studying the circuits that control neural activity while his own brain began slowly failing him.

    Nature ( )

  • Study neuron networks to tackle Alzheimer's

    Researchers have generally looked for signs of Alzheimer¹s disease in the whole brain or at the single-gene level. The biggest clues will come from monitoring collections of neurons, says Kenneth S. Kosik.

    Nature ( )

Books and Arts

Technology

  • Brain mapping in high resolution

    Tools that make it possible to chart every neuron and its connections are helping neuroscientists to realize their dream of whole-brain maps.

    Nature ( )

Careers