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Research Overview

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Mind and Intelligence Research Core
Neural Circuit Function Research Core
Disease Mechanism Research Core
Advanced Technology Development Core

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The Brain Science Institute (BSI) conducts cutting-edge research within the four strategic research cores of Mind and Intelligence Research, Neural Circuit Function Research, Disease Mechanism Research, and Advanced Technology Development. BSI features an interdisciplinary collaborative research system encompassing biology, medical science, biophysics, informatics, mathematical science, psychology, and economic science, and is notable for its open, international organization and rigorous evaluations by international research review committees.

The mission of this core is to uncover the physical (i.e. molecular, cellular, and system level) and informational bases of the human mind and intelligence. We develop new behavioral paradigms, utilize cutting-edge recording techniques, including brain imaging and electrode array methods, for analyses of the spatiotemporal patterns of neural activity, and integrate theoretical approaches with experimental ones, to reveal the mechanisms of recognition, learning, decision making, social behavior, language and creativity. We also elucidate the principles of superior brain function in perception, control, and decision making to gain insight into the innovation of intelligent machines, such as robots.


To understand brain as a multi-stratified system from the levels of molecules, genes and cells to the level of integrated system, it is essential to reveal how neural networks function. Based on the accumulated knowledge at the molecular levels as to how neurons change their strength of connections with each other, and how neural networks are established by themselves, we will develop technology to visualize the dynamic behaviors of molecules and cells in the live brains, and to arbitrarily regulate the activities or wiring of specific parts of neural circuits by extensive use of the most modern molecular genetic manipulations. Using these tools, we will reveal the mechanisms by which neural circuits execute complex functions which can never be realized without synergistic interactions of individual neurons or individual molecules within them. By complementary efforts both in experiments and theory, we will try to achieve the ultimate understanding of neural circuit mechanisms for the brain's superb capacity to control our cognition, interpretation, memory and behavior.


Diseases of the brain, that is mental disorders, developmental disorders, and dementia causes severe social burden, but causes of many diseases have not yet clarified. We will study using the updated technologies such as molecular biology, developmental biology, pathology, neuroimaging, animal models, and neurophysiology, to elucidate the mechanisms of these diseases of the brain. Principles of treatment will be developed for Alzheimer's disease and other neurological diseases, and fundamental pathophysiology at the molecular and cellular level will be identified for mental disorder, developmental disorder, and brain aging.



Technological innovations bring about new discoveries and are bred by other discoveries. The Advanced Technology Development Core (ATDC) conceives as an assembly of laboratories led by scientists who are at the forefront of the development of technological innovations in brain science. The primary objectives of the laboratories in ATDC are to create and develop novel research technologies that can be used to solve problems related to the brain. Our research area also includes informatics to establish a platform for large scale simulations.