Global Brain Initiatives

The journal Neuron recently devoted a complete issue to perspectives on global neuroscience, following announcement of an “International Brain Initiative” to align aspects of the various national brain research projects around the world.1 Since the announcement of the United States Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative in April, 2013, the United States, Canada, European Union, Japan, China, Australia, and Korea have committed more than 7 billion to accelerate brain research over the next decade. These initiatives represent opportunities for neurosurgeons to partner with basic and cognitive scientists, in order to maximize the research opportunities provided by our unique access to the human brain. The foundation of the United States BRAIN Initiative is described in the BRAIN 2025 report, which outlined seven of the highest priorities: (1) identify and provide experimental access to the different brain cell types to determine their roles in health and disease, (2) generate circuit diagrams that vary in resolution from synapses to the whole brain, (3) produce a dynamic picture of the functioning brain by developing and applying improved methods for large‐scale monitoring of neural activity, (4) link brain activity to behavior with precise interventional tools that change neural circuit dynamics, (5) produce conceptual foundations for understanding the biological basis of mental processes through development of new theoretical and data analysis tools, (6) develop innovative technologies to understand the human brain and treat its disorders and create and support integrated human brain research networks, and (7) 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.2 The BRAIN Initiative is a public–private partnership, currently supported by five federal agencies and over 20 private partners. A subset of these partners formed the BRAIN Initiative Alliance (http://www.braininitiative.org/) to serve as a central-access portal for information about the initiative. The Human Brain Project (HBP) is a multinational European initiative and one of the European Union's first two Future and Emerging Technologies Flagship projects. It was launched in October, 2013 and underwent an organizational overhaul beginning in March, 2015. The HBP's primary objective is to build a European infrastructure for brain science that applies a broad toolbox of the most advanced information and communication technologies to the challenge of decoding the human brain.3 Four sub-projects (Mouse Brain Organization, Human Brain Organization, Systems and Cognitive Neuroscience, and Theoretical Neuroscience) contribute concepts, data, and tools in order to support the development of six cloud-based research platforms. Two of these platforms, a Neuroinformatics Platform and a High-Performance Analytics and Computing Platform, are delivered as IT service infrastructures. The remaining four platforms depend upon the data, software, and service infrastructure provided by the first two platforms. A Brain Simulation Platform focuses on data-driven modeling and brain simulations on all scales, a Neurorobotics Platform concentrates on connecting virtual brain models to virtual robots in simulated environments and to real robots, a Medical Informatics Platform mines clinical data to enable personalized medical applications and to inform disease models, and a Neuromorphic Computing Platform creates brain-inspired neuromorphic hardware–software prototypes. This focus on creating an information and communication technology-based research infrastructure, which will be utilized by the brain research community worldwide, is unique to the HBP. Brain Canada was founded nearly 20 yr ago, with additional commitment in 2011 to create a large Canada Brain Research Fund.4 Brain Canada's approach is based on three central concepts: (1) One Brain—the brain is viewed as a single, complex system with commonalities across neurological disorders. (2) Collaboration—collaboration across disciplines and institutions is highly valued. (3) One Community—integration of funders, researchers, clinicians, administrators, patients, and caregivers is attempted. The China Brain Project—Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence—is as a 15-yr plan (2016–2030) organized around a “one body, two wings” concept.5 In this approach, basic research on the neural circuit mechanisms underlying cognition interact with two wings: a diagnosis and treatment wing, and a brain-inspired artificial intelligence technology wing. Major themes include: neural circuit mechanisms of cognition, early diagnosis and intervention of brain disorders, input from traditional Chinese medicine, cognitive robotics to integrate brain-inspired computational models and devices, and establishment of “nationwide ethical regulations for nonhuman primate experimentation that are compatible with international standards” to “promote public dissemination of the awareness that NHP research is indispensable for developing effective therapies for human diseases, particularly brain disorders, and for advancing our knowledge of the evolution and function of the human brain.” Similarly, Japan's Brain/MINDS (Brain Mapping by Integrated Neurotechnologies for Disease Studies) initiative was launched in June, 2014, to accelerate the development of the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus), a small new world primate, as a model for developing knowledge-based strategies to treat major brain disorders.6 The 10-yr roadmap for Brain/MINDS mandates “completion of a multiscale marmoset brain atlas and integrated data platform to support functional studies, the generation of genetically modified marmosets for experimental and pre-clinical studies, and the creation of a clinical data center using translational biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of human brain diseases.” The Australian Brain Alliance (ABA) was launched in February, 2016, to secure investment in an Australian Brain Initiative.7 The overarching goal of the Australian Brain Initiative will be to understand “the mechanisms or “codes” that underlie how neural circuitry develops, how it encodes and retrieves information, how it underpins complex behaviors, and how it adapts to external and internal changes.” Four main challenges have been identified: (1) to optimize and restore healthy brain function throughout life, (2) to develop neural interfaces to record and control brain activity to restore function, (3) to understand the neural basis of learning across the lifespan, and (4) to deliver new insights into brain-inspired computing. The Korea Brain Initiative was announced in May, 2016, with plans to launch a grand project in 2018.8 The initiative will employ a dual-track strategy to develop innovative neurotechnologies and to create a brain research ecosystem that includes “building and expanding neuroscience networks; allowing better access to research data, neurotools, and brain tissue samples; and fostering of a future-oriented neuroindustry.” Four core research areas will be (1) constructing brain maps at multiple scales, (2) developing innovative neurotechnologies for brain mapping, (3) strengthening artificial intelligence-related R&D, and (4) developing personalized medicine for neurological disorders. Promoting global collaboration is also an important theme for the initiative. These large international initiatives share common goals, defined by unique yet complementary approaches. Global neurosurgical collaborations are a mechanism through which complimentary ways of thinking can be combined further to maximize the ability of our field to contribute new neuroscientific knowledge derived from studying the human brain. Such collaborations will also provide a framework for discussing the optimal development of therapies derived from new discoveries in brain science. In this regard, a working knowledge of neuroethics, which addresses the implications of knowledge about the brain, the way it is obtained, and its use to modulate brain function, will be important for navigating the ethical, legal, and social effects of new neuroscientific knowledge for our patients.9

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