Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies

The NIH BRAIN Initiative

The Challenge for the 21st Century

• Brain disorders – both neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative – will be the most disabling and most costly of these chronic diseases.

• Chronic non‐communicable diseases will be in the 21st century what infectious diseases were in the 20th century.

• We do NOT know enough about the brain to meet this challenge.

The NIH BRAIN Scientific Plan

Emphasize technology development

FIRST FIVE YEARS

Emphasize discovery driven science

SECOND FIVE YEARS

To map the circuits of the brain, measure the fluctuating patterns of electrical and chemical activity flowing within those circuits, and understand how their interplay creates our unique cognitive and 

behavioral capabilities. 

A Focus on Circuits and Networks

4

1. Discovering diversity: Identify and provide experimental access to the different brain cell types to determine their roles in health and disease.

2. Maps at multiple scales: Generate circuit diagrams that vary in resolution from synapses to the whole brain.

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.

4. Demonstrating causality: Link brain activity to behavior with precise interventional tools that change neural circuit dynamics.

Seven High Priority Research Areas

5. Identifying fundamental principles: Produce conceptual foundations for understanding the biological basis of mental processes through development of new theoretical and data analysis tools.

6. Advancing human neuroscience: Develop innovative technologies to understand the human brain and treat its disorders; create and support integrated human brain research networks.

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.

Seven High Priority Research Areas

How to Accomplish These Goals: Principles

1 Pursue human and non‐human animal studies in parallel

2 Cross boundaries in interdisciplinary collaborations

3 Integrate spatial and temporal scales

4 Establish platforms for sharing data and tools

5 Validate and disseminate technology

6 Consider ethical implications of neuroscience research

7 Accountability to NIH, taxpayers, and the scientific community 

Estimated Budget

Ramp up to $400M/yr by FY 2018 Plateau at $500M/yr by FY2021

Total investment of $4.5B by FY 2025

RFA TopicMH‐14‐215 Cell‐Type Classification

MH‐14‐216 Novel Tools ‐ Cells and Circuits

MH‐14‐217 Next Generation Human Imaging

NS‐14‐007 Large scale Recording & Modulation –New Technologies

NS‐14‐008 Large scale Recording & Modulation ‐Optimization

NS‐14‐009 Integrated Approaches to Understanding Circuit Function

First BRAIN RFAs – FY2014

Options for Fiscal Year 2015Re‐issue Some of the FY14 RFAs

• Cell‐Type Classification• Novel Tools ‐ Cells and Circuits• Next Generation Human Imaging• Large scale Recording & Modulation Technologies• Integrated Approaches to Understanding Circuit Function

Concepts for New InitiativesMicro‐Scale Connectivity – Benchmark data and transformative approachesHuman Brain Recording and Modulation –Multi‐disciplinary teams to 

investigate human brain (dys)function; Next generation human technologies: pre‐clinical and early phase human testing, public‐private partnerships  

Multi‐Scale Approaches – Understand the biophysics and information content of macro‐scale signals

Short Courses – Training in new technologies, data analysis and theorySBIR announcement(s) – BRAIN‐affiliated SBIR, new technologies from small 

businesses

Multi‐Council Working Group (MCWG) 

BRAINMCWG

NINDS Council

NIMH Council

NIDA Council

NIBIB Council

NICHD Council

NCCAM Council

NIA Council

NIDCD Council

NIAAA Council

NEI Council

MCWG:• Respected experts looking at whole BRAIN initiative rather than at discrete parts

• Includes ex officio members from BRAIN agencies (DARPA, FDA, NSF)

• Connects to ICs and agencies with BRAIN‐focused research

August 25 MCWG meeting:• Discussed FY14 funding plans and provided feedback for IC Councils

• Discussed and cleared concepts for potential FY 15 solicitations

• While the study of the brain as a target tissue is only one component of NIAAA’s mission – should you have ideas  regarding efforts that would enhance the BRAIN initiative please feel free to discuss with Dr. Koob.  

• Further any ideas as to how the BRAIN initiative can promote NIAAA’s goals would be beneficial.

• NIAAA investigators who might benefit from the Brain Initiative should be encouraged to utilize resources provided by this program and to apply for grants through this mechanism.

12

IDEAS FOR NIAAA--BRAIN INITIATIVE INTERACTIONS?