Research in Brain Science addresses some of the most challenging and complex brain functions. Our research areas include understanding what the eye tells the brain and how we recognize objects; how behavior, perception and cognition emerge from the activity of networks of neurons; what the mental processes are through which knowledge is acquired and used, and through which we create, understand, and express language; how we learn and remember, and how genes control such activities. In addition, we explore how neurons communicate with each other, how the brain wires itself, and how molecules and receptors give neurons their unique properties. We are also interested in how to build machines that can emulate brain functions to improve our lives.

In the clinical realm we seek to understand the biological basis of psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, and obsessive behavior and the mechanisms of movement disorders, memory loss and other neurological diseases. We also are seeking ways to remedy these afflictions through pharmacological or novel neurosurgical approaches and to improve the quality of life by promoting the translation of research discoveries from the laboratory to the patient.
- John Donoghue, executive director

The following are key questions that research in the Brain Science Program addresses:

• How do we see?
  
• How do we learn and remember?
  
• How do we interact with the world?
  
• How do we communicate?
• How do we repair the damaged brain?
  
• How do we crack the neural code?