The coming decade of digital brain research: A vision for neuroscience at the intersection of technology and computing
Authors: Amunts Katrin , Axer Markus , Banerjee Swati , Bitsch Lise , Bjaalie Jan G. , Brauner Philipp , Brovelli Andrea , Calarco Navona , Carrere Marcel , Caspers Svenja , Charvet Christine J. , Cichon Sven , Cools Roshan , Costantini Irene , D’Angelo Egidio Ugo , De Bonis Giulia , Deco Gustavo , DeFelipe Javier , Destexhe Alain , Dickscheid Timo , Diesmann Markus , Düzel Emrah , Eickhoff Simon B. , Einevoll Gaute , Eke Damian , Engel Andreas K. , Evans Alan C. , Evers Kathinka , Fedorchenko Nataliia , Forkel Stephanie J. , Fousek Jan , Friederici Angela D. , Friston Karl , Furber Stephen , Geris Liesbet , Goebel Rainer , Güntürkün Onur , Hamid Aini Ismafairus Abd , Herold Christina , Hilgetag Claus C. , Hölter Sabine M. , Ioannidis Yannis , Jirsa Viktor , Kashyap Sriranga , Kasper Burkhard S. , d’Exaerde Alban de Kerchove , Kooijmans Roxana , Koren István , Kotaleski Jeanette Hellgren , Kiar Gregory , Klijn Wouter , Klüver Lars , Knoll Alois C. , Krsnik Zeljka , Kämpfer Julia , Larkum Matthew E , Linne Marja-Leena , Lippert Thomas , Abdullah Jafri Malin , Maio Paola Di , Magielse Neville , Maquet Pierre , Mascaro Anna Letizia Allegra , Marinazzo Daniele , Mejias Jorge , Meyer-Lindenberg Andreas , Migliore Michele , Michael Judith , Morel Yannick , Morin Fabrice O. , Muckli Lars , Nagels Guy , Oden Lena , Palomero-Gallagher Nicola , Panagiotaropoulos Fanis , Paolucci Pier Stanislao , Pennartz Cyriel , Peeters Liesbet M. , Petkoski Spase , Petkov Nicolai , Petro Lucy S. , Petrovici Mihai A. , Pezzulo Giovanni , Roelfsema Pieter , Ris Laurence , Ritter Petra , Rockland Kathleen , Rotter Stefan , Rowald Andreas , Ruland Sabine , Ryvlin Philippe , Salles Arleen , Sanchez-Vives Maria V. , Schemmel Johannes , Senn Walter , de Sousa Alexandra A. , Ströckens Felix , Thirion Bertrand , Uludağ Kâmil , Vanni Simo , van Albada Sacha Jennifer , Vanduffel Wim , Vezoli Julien , Vincenz-Donnelly Lisa , Walter Florian , Zaborszky Laszlo 
Published: April 2024

In recent years, brain research has indisputably entered a new epoch, driven by substantial methodological advances and digitally enabled data integration and modelling at multiple scales—from molecules to the whole brain. Major advances are emerging at the intersection of neuroscience with technology and computing. This new science of the brain combines high-quality research, data integration across multiple scales, a new culture of multidisciplinary large-scale collaboration, and translation into applications. As pioneered in Europe’s Human Brain Project (HBP), a systematic approach will be essential for meeting the coming decade’s pressing medical and technological challenges. The aims of this paper are to: develop a concept for the coming decade of digital brain research, discuss this new concept with the research community at large, identify points of convergence, and derive therefrom scientific common goals; provide a scientific framework for the current and future development of EBRAINS, a research infrastructure resulting from the HBP’s work; inform and engage stakeholders, funding organisations and research institutions regarding future digital brain research; identify and address the transformational potential of comprehensive brain models for artificial intelligence, including machine learning and deep learning; outline a collaborative approach that integrates reflection, dialogues, and societal engagement on ethical and societal opportunities and challenges as part of future neuroscience research.