The importance of Brain, Behaviour and Cognition research in changing times and landscapes: Challenges, opportunities and future prospects

1 The importance of Brain, Behaviour and Cognition research in changing times and landscapes: Challenges, opportunities and future prospects Short title: Current challenges and prospects for BCB research Authors: Sanne Moorman1, Michiel van Elk1, Eliana Vassena1, Amy Abelmann, Fabíola de Andrade, Aleksandra Badura, Jonathan Benichov, Nora de Bode, Barbara Braams, Inti Brazil, Desiderio Cano Porras, Violeta Céspedes, Silvy H.P. Collin, Anouschka van Dijk, Kübra Gülmez Karaca, Edward de Haan, Anita Harrewijn, J. Alexander Heimel, Erno Hermans, Petra Hurks, Maaike Kempes, Sumari Kleynhans, Nils Kohn, Willem J. Kop, Sofie van Koppen, Alexander Kotrschal, Florian Krause, Emese Kroon, Ewa Międzobrodzka, Lucres Nauta-Jansen, Bruno Nicenboim, Zarah van der Pal, Karin Roelofs, Mieke H. J. Schulte, CarmenSilva Sergiou, Heleen Slagter, Danique Smeijers, Stefan van der Stigchel, Koert Stribos, Jordy Thielen, Sandra Thijssen, Marie-José van Tol, Peter Verkoeijen, Irene van de Vijver, Chris Vriend, Dominique Weltevreden, Franz Wurm. Author contributions: 1 Leading in: Conceptualization, supervision, writing original draft, and writing review and editing; cocorresponding authors; contributed equally others: contributed equally to writing original draft, and writing review and editing Key words: science policy fundamental neuroscience societal impact interdisciplinarity research agenda 2 Abstract: Research in the field of brain, cognition and behaviour (BCB) is highly relevant for education, safety, healthcare, and policy making. For this white paper, a large group of researchers in the Netherlands united to highlight the paramount importance of fundamental BCB research for society and to chart the essential next steps for the BCB field, including concrete recommendations for governments, funders, universities/academic institutions, and individual scientists. This agenda includes the necessary actions to maintain and bolster the virtuous circle of fueling innovation through fundamental BCB research to address the current and future societal challenges. To this end, we outline highlights of BCB research: its societal impact on the fields of healthcare, education and safety, and its fundamental impact on scientific knowledge. We characterize fundamental science as a crucial driver of innovation and impact. We reflect on the important challenges that the field faces in the Netherlands and in Europe: reduced societal and political trust in science, misinformation about brain function, budget cuts, threats to experimental research with animals, and limits to internationalization. We stress that BCB science is inherently multidisciplinary and call for a research agenda and funding schemes that transcend traditional boundaries, foster interdisciplinary collaborations, internationalization, team science, and open science practices. The Dutch BCB research agenda is broadly relevant, and can inspire BCB research and interdisciplinary initiatives across Europe and globally. This agenda lays a path toward a resilient, responsive, and socially embedded BCB research ecosystem—one that is equipped to conquer scientific frontiers while fulfilling societal needs. 3 1. Introduction 1.1. Putting brain, cognition, and behavior research in perspective The brain is one of the most fascinating organs in our body. With its approximately 86 billion neurons and 100 trillion synapses, the brain forms the foundation of all our perceptions, thoughts, and actions. Understanding how the brain works and influences behavior is not only an exciting and promising frontier of science, but also a powerful lever for societal innovation. For instance, major breakthroughs in artificial intelligence have been made possible through discoveries about how cellular networks in the brain are organized. Insights into the development of the adolescent brain have important implications for parental advice regarding for instance the use of social media (e.g., Liu et al., 2022). In addition, deeper knowledge of brain and behavioral deficits in brain-related disorders (like depression and anxiety) allows us to personalize treatment and prevention efforts, so that we are better able to help people when they need it and in the best possible way. These are just a few examples of the insights that Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour (BCB) research can offer - insights that are relevant for multiple domains, including education, safety, healthcare, and that are crucial for evidence-based and informed policy decisions. 1.2 Current threats to BCB research The current political, societal and global developments have brought about serious threats for BCB research. First and foremost, we witness a substantial reduction in funding (particularly for fundamental research) due to shifting political landscapes (Rathenau report, 2025). In times of fast technological developments and global unprecedented challenges, this trend is not only difficult to understand, but also dangerously counterproductive. Interdisciplinary fundamental science is necessary to maintain a prepared and resilient society, and yet funding options for interdisciplinary BCB research are becoming scarcer. Younger academics experience this challenge the most, as they are faced with severely limited to non-existent career possibilities, leading to loss of talent, and ‘brain drain’. Second, we also witness a general societal tendency to limit internationalization, including university-specific measures to reduce the influx of international students. This affects science globally, including the Netherlands that has a globally leading position in internationalization (Elsevier report, 2024). A third and concerning trend is the declining societal and political support for science: even though Dutch citizens have more trust in scientific organisations compared to most other institutions (such as newspapers or government; Rathenau, 2025), only a minority maintains a positive attitude towards science and technology in the Netherlands (Alaimo et al., 2025). In the era of widespread online misinformation, e.g., about the risk of vaccines, or the actual evidence for climate change. Facts about brain function can be prone to misinterpretation, such as the belief that we only use 10% of our brain (see Wikipedia, or Encyclopedia Brittanica). Indeed, it was found that there is a high prevalence of neuromyths among parents and teachers (Benneker et al., 2023; Torrijos-Muelas et al., 2021). Addressing these challenges requires a coordinated effort within and outside the BCB field. 4 1.3 The importance of BCB research In response to these developments, a group of BCB researchers from the Netherlands wrote this white paper to call attention to the importance of BCB research. The initiative for this paper originated at a workshop organized by two BCB organisations (see section 2 for more details). As such, this paper is a concerted community effort of BCB scientists in the Netherlands to outline current challenges for the field and set out a shared agenda for the next decade on how we can keep contributing to the broader scientific and societal landscape. Fundamental research, innovation, and societal challenges are core processes acting in dynamic and reciprocal interplay, as is visualized in the Research Impact Cycle (Figure 1). This schematic visualization integrates ideas from traditional linear innovation models with more recent proposals that posit the co-evolution of innovation with societal needs (Mazzucatto, 2017), as well as the Responsible Research Innovation model promoted by the Horizon 2020 program of the European Union (European Commission, 2013). Extrapolating on this model, below in section 2 we highlight successful examples of fundamental BCB research and its applications, in section 3 discuss current societal challenges, and in section 4 establish a research agenda with concrete recommendations and a future outlook for innovation in the field of BCB research. By setting a new standard for collaborative and interdisciplinary science we expect that this document will become an important resource for scientists, policy makers, funders and interested laypeople more generally. We also envision that by highlighting the interplay between fundamental research, society, and innovation in the Netherlands, this paper will provide important lessons that can be relevant for establishing the stability of independent and interdisciplinary BCB research in an international context. Figure 1. The research impact cycle visualizes the dynamic interplay between societal challenges, fundamental research, and innovation. 1.4 The Dutch situation The Netherlands ranks among the top 10 most productive countries in the world in the field of BCB research, with a growing publication share (Yeung et al., 2017; Simard et al., 2023). The Netherlands is also at the forefront of methodological and technological innovation in BCB research. Some examples are the recent initiative to build the world’s most powerful MRI scanner 5 (14 tesla, financed by the NWO roadmap grant, DYNAMIC project) and The Netherlands Brain Bank, collecting human brain tissue of patients with Alzheimer’s disease since 1985, as well as brain tissues of people with other disorders and healthy participants. In several Dutch cities, longterm large-scale longitudinal behavioral, neuroimaging and biomarker studies continue to run (e.g., Van Bakel & Riksen-Walraven, 2002; Penninx et al., 2008; Kooijman et al., 2016; Crone et al., 2020; Meinders et al., 2020; Onland-Moret et al, 2020; Scholtens et al., 2015; Vacaru et al., 2022). These examples highlight the ambition, scope, quality, and diversity of BCB research in the Netherlands. The Dutch research landscape is characterized by interconnected academic hubs and research institutes. Almost all Dutch universities host BCB research groups, often embedded in interdisciplinary faculties or institutes combining psychology, neuroscience, biology, artificial intelligence, mathematics, physics and data science. The Netherlands is home to many internationally renowned institutes (see Table 1, Supplementary materials), strong national infrastructure (such as Health-RI), and many leading national and international collaborative initiatives. Prominent examples are the interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary innovation platform of the Netherlands Brain Initiative (Nationaal Plan Hoofdzaken) and the international educational program of NeurotechEU. In sum, the Netherlands embodies a vibrant state-of-theart ecosystem for BCB research. In this landscape, Dutch BCB research contributes to many topics in the field (Figure 2). The Netherlands also has a strong reputation in fostering the bidirectional interplay between fundamental research and addressing societal challenges - a key aspect of the research impact cycle. In 2015, Dutch citizens had the opportunity to list questions they deemed important for scientists to answer. This led to 12,000 questions that were clustered into 140 overarching themes and organized into 25 thematic routes, each addressing broad societal and scientific challenges. This initiative came to be known as the Dutch National Research Agenda (Nationale Wetenschapsagenda, NWA): a citizens-driven collection of topics to be prioritized to address urgent societal challenges, drive innovation, and support scientific progress. The NWA funding programme is organized along thematic routes, whereby researchers and various societal stakeholders jointly identify key questions and work toward solutions to complex problems alongside all relevant societal stakeholders. NeuroLabNL (https://neurolab.nl) is one of these thematic routes, which includes four ‘pillars’ - all focused on the role of the brain and central nervous system: (1) Health (through the promotion of healthy behavior, but also through the development of new techniques to help people with physical and psychological disorders live a full life), (2) Safety (social safety through diagnostics, risk assessment, prevention and intervention to strengthen resilience to reduce antisocial behavior), (3) Education (optimizing educational and social context to increase the ideal learning environment) and (4) Fundamental (understanding underlying brain processes to gain new insights in how the brain works). The research within these themes (see Figure 2 for most used keyphrases) has led to valuable insights and practical applications, some of which we highlight in section 3. 6 Figure 2: Trends in BCB keyphrases. Non-exhaustive overview of most commonly used terms in BCB articles from the last 10 years of which at least one author is affiliated at a Dutch institute (based on our own SciVal analysis using text mining to extract keyphrases – see Appendix 2). Font size indicates relative frequency and colors indicate its trends over time. With the support of NeuroLabNL and the Dutch BCB community more broadly, the Brain Cognition and Behavior – Netherlands (BCB-NL) platform was founded in 2020 to unite Dutch researchers in neuroscience, psychology, cognitive science, and related fields, fostering an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach to brain and behavior research. BCB-NL aims to advance both fundamental and applied research to increase impact, and advocates for greater visibility and support for this research domain, engaging with governmental funding agencies (NWO; ZonMW), universities, and research initiatives (e.g., NeurolabNL; Young NeurolabNL; the Netherlands Brain Initiative) to promote funding and policy alignment. Through organized knowledge exchange, lobbying efforts, networking events, and outreach, BCB-NL enhances the impact of brain and behavior research, enabling the different organizations in this field to connect and speak with one voice. 7 2. Why is fundamental research on the brain, cognition, and behavior important? Fundamental research in the BCB field focuses on unraveling the workings of the brain and behavior in healthy individuals (and groups), as well as the mechanisms that lead to and maintain (psycho)pathology. 2.1 Curiosity-driven fundamental research drives knowledge development Unlike applied research, which targets immediate and known problems, fundamental BCB research (also known as curiosity-driven research) is essential to understand how we think, feel, and interact with the world. Fundamental research topics in our field include amongst others language, cognition, consciousness, emotions, motivation, circadian rhythm, brain plasticity, and sensory perception. Generating and increasing our knowledge about these topics provides the cornerstone for applied research developments and implementations. As an example, fundamental neuroscientific research about how people make decisions and learn about the world has improved our understanding of impulsivity and aggression, but also of prosocial behavior in adolescents (e.g., Crone et al., 2021, 2022). This has in turn led to important insights in understanding inequality and poverty. Understanding the brain reward system in humans and animals has led to breakthroughs in the treatment of addiction, ADHD, Parkinson’s disease, anxiety and depression (Volkow et al., 2016, Husain & Roiser 2018, Whitton et al., 2015, Luman et al., 2010, Cremers & Roelofs 2016). Research showing that grid cell activity (a particular type of hippocampal brain cell) is compromised in young adults at risk of Alzheimer’s (Kunz et al., 2015) and in age-related navigational deficits (Stangl et al., 2018) was only possible after years long fundamental research in rats that had identified grid cells (Nobel Prize; O’Keefe, Moser & Moser, 2014). Insights from BCB research are especially important in a rapidly changing world, with new emerging technologies, and a surge in mental health problems that pose unprecedented challenges for the healthcare system. This view is also strongly supported by the European Research Council (Munari et al., 2022; Nagar et al., 2024), which recently called for doubling investment in research and innovation, with a particular focus on the impact of curiosity-driven fundamental research. Basic scientific insights gained from BCB research are translated into concrete applications by governmental and medical institutes, applied universities, and a spectrum of not-for-profit and corporate organizations, which are optimally positioned to bridge theory and practice (see Table 1). 2.2 BCB research is highly interdisciplinary and helps develop methods and technologies To gain insight in the interdisciplinary nature of BCB research, we conducted a bibliographic analysis of the different outputs for the BCB field according to scientific discipline (see Figure 3). BCB Research seeks to uncover the mechanisms that govern brain and cognitive (dys)function and behavior, and their interaction with other biological systems (such as the peripheral nervous system, the gut, etc.) and across multiple levels of analysis (genes, cells, circuits, multi-agent, varying contexts). This requires a variety of cutting-edge research methods, including 8 neuroimaging (from cellular to systems levels, with non-invasive and invasive methods), labbased studies with humans and research animals, real-life and field studies (with mobile technology), and computational modeling. BCB researchers help to develop these tools, often in interdisciplinary collaborations with for example engineers or mathematicians. Figure 3: Interdisciplinarity of BCB research. BCB outputs co-authored by researchers affiliated to Dutch institutions are published in a diverse range of journal subject area classifications (SciVal analysis based on Elsevier classifications). Note that publications are often mapped to multiple subject areas, so the total is >100%. The most general journals (such as Nature, Science, PlosONE, PNAS) are assigned only to Multidisciplinary. 2.3 Applications that were driven by fundamental BCB research Insights from fundamental research have consistently led to translational and applied impact. In our rapidly changing world, it is often not efficient or effective to start from the problem and find a specific solution: this may take too long and come too late or at a high cost. Instead, existing fundamental knowledge affords solutions for unexpected problems (exemplified by Covid vaccinations building on a foundation of fundamental research). Below, we list a number of examples, where early findings in BCB research in diverse contexts, later proved useful to address societal challenges. 2.3.1 Brain health Approximately 60% of the European population lives with a neurological or psychiatric condition (Source: European Brain Council). Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease and major depressive disorder affect more than 4 million people in the Netherlands (Source: Hersenstichting). The Netherlands, just like other European countries, has a growing aging population, leading to rising incidences of neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory diseases. Brain-related disorders cause major physical, mental, and social life impairments in affected people, and their family and friends. Associated yearly health care costs are approximately 31 billion euros (RIVM, 2023), which amounts to one-third of the national health care budget. BCB research has been crucial to 9 improve our understanding of the mechanisms of common neurological and psychiatric disorders, which in turn allow improved preventative strategies and treatment outcomes. Cognitive neuroscience findings have also shaped public health policy by informing new policies around the legal drinking driving age, encouraging physical activity to improve brain health, and informing safe sports practices to reduce the risk of brain damage (e.g., Lammers et al., 2011; van den Eijnden et al., 2011). 2.3.2 Education and safety Insights into brain mechanisms, learning, memory, attention and social interactions have informed educational developments. Recent applications are the decision by the Dutch government to ban smartphones from classrooms in secondary schools (Kennisnet, 2024), and the development of an app that monitors social dynamics in the classroom to promote a safe social environment in schools (stoeltjesdans, used by over 27.000 teachers in the Netherlands and Flanders). Applications like these have been driven by BCB research on attention, distraction, resilience and adolescent brain development (reviewed in Sneep, 2025). As another example, curiosity-driven BCB research on resilience, stress and biofeedback (Klaassen et al., 2025) has also led to the development of a new virtual reality application using bio-feedback to increase stress resilience in police officers. This training is now being implemented in police academies, and the research insights are further being utilized to extend this intervention to reduce aggression among police officers and at-risk youth (see link). Insights into drivers of behavioral change turn out to be of paramount importance for societal problems such as climate change and healthy lifestyles. BCB research on impulsivity, resilience, personality disorders, and posttraumatic stress disorder have all been essential for developing evidence-based safety policies. 2.3.3 Technological developments New technologies in neuroscience have led to the identification of over 5000 brain cell types (BICCN, 2023). We can now measure brain activity with unprecedented resolution using ultradense neurophysiology, ultrahigh-field MRI, and optically pumped magnetometers. In animals, optical, electronic, and genetic tools enable long-term recording and targeted manipulation of brain circuits to reveal causal mechanisms. In humans, non-invasive neuromodulation (e.g., transcranial magnetic stimulation, transcranial direct current stimulation, focused ultrasound stimulation, neurofeedback) enables modulation of brain activity for both research and therapeutic purposes. Mobile technologies and wearable devices now support real-world brain and behavior monitoring, enabling deeper insights into how neural processes unfold in daily life. Wearable neurotech devices enables communication and control (e.g., Verbaarschot et al. 2021), rehabilitation (e.g., Musso et al. 2022), diagnostics (e.g., Guyonnet-Hencke et al. 2025), unobtrusive monitoring of stress and mental health in daily life (Tutunji et al., 2023), as well as monitoring of patients’ cognitive, social and motor symptoms in daily life (Jagessar et al., 2021), improving personalized care. Novel technologies have helped identify specific brain circuits involved in Parkinson’s disease, allowing targeted treatment using (adaptive) deep brain stimulation (e.g., Dold et al. 2025). Similarly, neuropixel electrode arrays and optogenetics help clarify how dopamine circuits malfunction in Parkinson’s disease, guiding the development of 16 dropped to 13%; Source: Annual NWO yearly report 2024) and reintroducing early career Talent Schemes (for PhD projects). Recommendations: - Increase funding for curiosity-driven research (alongside thematic research). - Renew assessment systems for competitive funding schemes in order to safeguard quality while increasing efficiency and reducing burden. - Provide support for early career researchers in terms of start-up funds (meeting international standards), to avoid losing talent to other sectors and countries. - Reintroduce early-career talent schemes (e.g. funding for individual phd projects, which allow exploring truly innovative research ideas). - Foster collaborations of academia with industry and/or societal and non-profit organisations in the Netherlands by offering joint PhD scholarships and training in transferable skills (as in the successful international example of the Marie Curie Doctoral Networks calls by the EU Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe programs). 4.1.3 Interdisciplinarity involving multiple stakeholders and diverse perspectives has become the norm rather than the exception in BCB research. Yet, securing funding for interdisciplinary research remains a challenge. Formal recognition for team science is also lagging behind daily practice. Team science refers to the collaborative effort of individual scientists, each contributing unique skills necessary for successful fulfillment of project goals (Ghamgosar et al. 2023). While this is common practice in BCB research, the main sources of funding are personal grants, with recognition assigned to the principal investigator (PI), rather than to the team that contributed to the development of the research program. Recommendations: - Calibrate funding schemes and awards to support and stimulate interdisciplinarity and team-science. Expand funding schemes supporting interbut also intra-institutional interdisciplinary team science. Award seed funds to support collaborations between PIs (including early and mid-career PIs as well. Seed fund allows exploring more innovative and risky ideas, with high-return on investment). - Reform evaluation and review processes so that interdisciplinary proposals are fairly evaluated, e.g., by making sure that each proposal is reviewed by experts from different scientific disciplines by including interdisciplinarity as a key criterion for evaluation. - Acknowledge teamwork in existing schemes (e.g., in Talent schemes, allow and encourage recognition of team members in the development of research proposals and projects), thereby enhancing the visibility and recognition of early-career researchers. 4.1.4 Internationalization is the cornerstone of a healthy scientific and educational ecosystem in our (academic) society. The Netherlands has the highest percentage of international collaborations in the world, with 63% of articles with Dutch authors having international coauthors (against the 20% world average and 43% European average; Elsevier report, 2024). The 17 international character of our universities needs to be safeguarded and boosted, which includes protecting and promoting our international bachelor programs. A welcoming attitude to and support for international researchers is needed to ensure we can keep attracting the most talented international students and staff. Recommendations: - Safeguard English-taught bachelor and master programs and internationalization policies within universities. - Keep on attracting international talent, through the continued support of institutions aimed at bringing together international interdisciplinary groups of scholars. Successful showcases are the Netherlands Institute for Advanced Studies (NIAS) and the Lorentz Center, as well as academic centers of excellence (e.g., the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience (NIN) - which is an institute of the Dutch Royal Academy of Sciences). - Provide and promote international mobility schemes, such as the very successful European example of the Marie Curie Fellowship, part of Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe funding programs. 4.2 For universities and research institutions 4.2.1 Institutional support for interdisciplinary research is critical. Universities can play an important role in supporting (emerging) interdisciplinary fields by establishing assistant professor positions and PhD programs that straddle departments and faculties, and by creating and supporting research institutes focused on grand challenges requiring interdisciplinary approaches (e.g., brain-body interactions, AI in society, or mental health). They can also support novel interdisciplinary initiatives through specific internal funding schemes. The Netherlands already hosts several strong interdisciplinary research institutes and platforms in the field of BCB (see Table 1), that demonstrate the ability to integrate diverse fields to address complex scientific questions. This also entails supporting internationalization within universities, by enabling an open, inclusive, and diverse working environment, and deploying policies to attract and retain international talented researchers. Recent and looming budget cuts have brought these aspects under serious threat, putting international competitiveness at risk. Recommendations: - Remove logistic and bureaucratic barriers for inter-institutional and interdisciplinary collaboration by facilitating centralized infrastructures (e.g., Surf). Mitigate practical obstacles that hinder interdisciplinarity (separation between faculties, lack of resources). 18 - Prioritize funding for interdisciplinary institutes and initiatives (e.g., thematic hubs, existing and new interdisciplinary/interfaculty institutes). - Award stimulation funds for inter-faculty inter-disciplinary collaborations. - Revise hiring, promotion, and research evaluation frameworks to recognize interdisciplinary output, including collaborative papers, joint grants, and societal impact beyond disciplinary norms. - Develop and offer interdisciplinary education (Bachelor and Master levels). - Facilitate national mobility and transition of researchers across universities and institutionalize interdisciplinary career paths (e.g., joint appointments). - Safeguard English-taught bachelor programs and internationalization policies within universities. - Retain and protect local inclusion and diversity policies, which under pressure of the budget cuts are at risk of being disincentivized. 4.2.2 Sustainable career paths for early-career researchers and a transparent system for tenuretrack and promotion are required to retain talented young people in academia. In line with the Recognition and Rewards program, universities and research institutions should focus on diversifying career paths by recognizing the need for letting academics excel in either research, teaching or impact. Recommendations: - Promote conditions supporting a realistic workload, with balanced distribution of tasks, in line with the national Recognition & Rewards movement. - Support temporary workload relief when necessary and possible (e.g., with temporary teaching load reductions to apply for grants and by providing technical and administrative support). - Allow horizontal career development (also including impact as a core task). - Encourage and enact adequate recognition of early career contributions (in grant applications, research projects, committee work, management tasks, PhD-supervision etc.) and adjust academic reward structures to give recognition for interdisciplinary research and non-traditional research outputs. 4.3 For researchers 4.3.1 Science communication, public outreach, and citizen science: In an era of misinformation and high prevalence of neuromyths especially among teachers and parents (Benneker et al., 2023; Torrijos-Muelas et al., 2021), outreach is not a luxury—it is a necessity. A more centralized communication infrastructure, potentially coordinated by BCB-NL, could help amplify our collective voice and improve dialogue with policymakers and the public. We must also extend the reach of science communication beyond traditional audiences. Initiatives like citizen science, public festivals, podcasts, and educational programs (e.g., the Hoe?Zo! Show) have shown promise to engage the general public by contributing to science as well. These efforts need to be broadened to a truly diverse audience (e.g., with a migration background) with attention to inclusivity and equal opportunity. This means going beyond easy to reach groups. By tailoring 19 content to resonate with diverse communities and recognizing outreach efforts as core academic activities, we can cultivate a more inclusive and science-literate society at large. Additionally, we need to reconceptualize societal impact by considering the essential contribution of science communication at all stages of the research process. Drawing inspiration from the Research Impact Cycle (Figure 1), communicating science can and should happen during the development of research questions, during implementation, as well as after research findings are available. Communicating science is not only about the specific findings or about identifying which questions are relevant: a key aspect is spreading the knowledge that is already there, highlighting how science has guided innovation and positively influenced citizens living standards, next to quantifiable technological or business-related innovation (Alaimo et al., 2025). Recommendations: - Scientific communication and public engagement training should be structurally offered in academic training trajectories, starting at the PhD level. - Public engagement and science communication at all stages of research should be recognized as a core academic task. 4.3.2 Team science, open science, and interdisciplinary collaborations are essential to safeguard the rigor and quality of BCB research. While coordinated action and support from funding agencies and research institutions is key, individual scientists can and should do their part in promoting recognition of team science, adopting and expanding open science practices, and actively pursuing interdisciplinary integration. Recommendations: - Acknowledge and promote team science: Credit structures should be reformed to recognize the diverse roles in collaborative projects, from data collection to conceptual leadership. Researchers can contribute by explicitly acknowledging team contributions in publications (e.g., through credit statements) and by advocating for inclusive authorship practices in their departments and fields. Adequate acknowledgements should also be included in grant applications (funding schemes permitting), moving away from an unrealistic 1-person and PI-centered enterprise that does not reflect the collaborative nature of most BCB research. - Expand and stimulate open science adoption: Transparency should be the default. Researchers should pre-register studies, where possible share data, and share code openly to allow for reproducibility, and use open-access platforms (e.g., Open Science Framework, https://osf.io). Senior researchers have a particular responsibility to model and incentivize these practices within their research groups or labs and review work through the lens of reproducibility. - Shape institutional cultures: Active participation in curriculum development, PhD committees, and interdisciplinary institutes can help align institutional policies with the values of team science, open science and interdisciplinarity. 20 - Engage broader communities: Research programs should include perspectives from patients, advocacy groups, and the general public. Bottom-up initiatives can enrich scientific inquiry and ensure that research addresses societal as well as academic needs. 4.3.3 Strengthening our societal positioning through dialogue and advocacy To ensure that fundamental BCB research continues to thrive and serve society, we must strengthen our collective voice in the public and political arena. Despite its relevance to urgent societal challenges, BCB research is sometimes fragmented in its representation and underrepresented in national science and innovation policy (e.g., different initiatives exist with different aims and agendas such as the Netherlands Brain Initiative (Nationaal Plan Hoofdzaken), NeuroLabNL, BCB-NL, the Dutch Brain Foundation (Hersenstichting) etc.). A more concerted and proactive effort is needed. An organized effort could help positioning the BCB field more clearly in strategic policy dialogues with e.g., the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW), the Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Sport (VWS), the ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy (EZK), the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment (SZW) and the ministry of defense (MinDef). At the same time, BCB researchers must improve their ability to listen to societal stakeholders and involve them meaningfully in shaping research agendas. Patient organizations, educators, youth workers, and mental health professionals hold valuable and necessary experiential and practical knowledge. Recommendations: - Develop a structured and visible BCB advocacy strategy at the national level (e.g., through establishing a Dutch Brain Council), aimed at influencing funding priorities, science agendas and political awareness. - Build durable partnerships with societal stakeholders (e.g., patient organizations, educators, youth workers) and facilitate their participation in projects and grant applications. - Train researchers in stakeholder engagement and science-policy communication as part of professional development. 21 5. Concluding remarks As BCB researchers working in the Netherlands, we feel privileged to have the opportunity to contribute to world-class research, in an international context, with state-of-the-art facilities and in relative freedom to pursue our own research ideas. Hence, there is even more urgency to highlight that this position is currently in jeopardy, due to societal and scientific threats. Some of the issues we address in this white paper also apply to academic research more broadly: lack of funding, limited career possibilities for early-stage researchers, threats to internationalization and to interdisciplinary work. As such we see this paper as an opportunity to call attention to threats to the BCB field in particular and the academic field more broadly. To meet these societal and scientific challenges of our time, the Netherlands must sustain and grow its world-class Brain, Cognition, and Behavior (BCB) research ecosystem. The research impact cycle (Figure 1) highlights the dynamic relation between fundamental science, societal needs, and innovation and offers a framework for facing these challenges. By investing strategically in curiosity-driven research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and open, inclusive science, we can discover new fundamental insights in brain functioning that improve health, education, safety, and well-being. The Dutch BCB community is well-organized, connected, and has a strong position in cutting-edge, upcoming research areas. With the necessary ingredients already in place, and the urgency of societal challenges, it is important that national and European governments will increase long-term investments in BCB research to maintain and strengthen our forefront position. Progressive and coordinated action from funders, policymakers, institutions, and researchers will ensure that BCB research remains the cornerstone of a resilient society, ready to meet the challenges ahead. 22 6. List of abbreviations ADHD: Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder BCB-NL: platform Brain, Cognition and Behavior – Netherlands BCB: Brain, Cognition, and Behavior EZK: The Dutch ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy GDP: Gross Domestic Product KNAW: The Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences MinDef: The Dutch ministry of defense MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging NWA: Dutch National Research Agenda (“Nationale Wetenschaps Agenda”) NWO: Dutch Research Council (“Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek”) OCW: The Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science PI: Principal Investigator PNAS: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences RIVM: The Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (“Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu”) SciVal: brand name for research analytics tool SZW: The Dutch Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment TNO: Dutch Organisation for Applied Scientific Research VWS: The Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Sport ZonMW: not an abbreviation, but a collaboration between ZorgOnderzoekNederland (Zon) and Medische Wetenschappen (MW). 7. Data sharing statement We compiled overviews of information for this manuscript, which are included as supplementary materials (list of institutions, outcomes of a survey, and key phrases for bibliographic analysis). No further data was generated in this opinion paper. 23 References: Alaimo, L.S., Cagnoli, F. & Saiani, P.P. European citizens and attitudes towards science and technology: what account for societal development and scientific knowledge? Qual Quant (2025). doi:10.1007/s11135-025-02054-5. Benneker, I., Lee, N., Altikulac, S., van der Veen, C., Krabbendam, L., & van Atteveldt, N. (2023). The reported effects of neuroscience literacy and belief in neuromyths among parents of adolescents. Journal of Science Communication, 22(2), 1-26. Article A06. https://doi.org/10.22323/2.22020206 BICCN, the BRAIN Initiative Cell Census Network, 2023. Collection of articles in Nature: https://www.nature.com/immersive/d42859-023-00069-2/index.html Bourguignon, J.P. (2019). Supporting interdisciplinarity, a challenging obligation. ERC website: https://erc.europa.eu/news/supporting-interdisciplinarity-challenging-obligation Chen et al. (2020). Shape perception via a high-channel-count neuroprosthesis in monkey visual cortex. Science, 370, 1191-1196. DOI:10.1126/science.abd7435 Cremers HR, Roelofs K. (2016). Social anxiety disorder: a critical overview of neurocognitive research. Wiley Interdiscip Rev Cogn Sci. 7(4):218-32. doi: 10.1002/wcs.1390. Crone, E. A., Achterberg, M., Dobbelaar, S., Euser, S., van den Bulk, B., van der Meulen, M., ... & van IJzendoorn, M. H. (2020). Neural and behavioral signatures of social evaluation and adaptation in childhood and adolescence: the Leiden consortium on individual development (LCID). Developmental cognitive neuroscience, 45, 100805. Dold, M. et al. (2025). Dareplane: a modular open-source software platform for BCI research with application in closed-loop deep brain stimulation. Journal of neural engineering, 22(2), 026029. Dresler, M. et al. (2023) Effective or predatory funding? Evaluating the hidden costs of grant applications. Immunol Cell Biol. 101(2):104-111. doi: 10.1111/imcb.12592. Elsevier report, The impact of internationalization on research performance. March 14, 2024. https://www-elsevier-com.proxy-ub.rug.nl/connect/the-impact-of-internationalization-onresearch-performance 24 European Research Council (2025). New report reveals how ERC grantees commercialise their patented inventions). https://erc.europa.eu/news-events/news/new-report-reveals-how-ercgrantees-commercialise-their-patented-inventions European Research Council (2024). ERC Statement on the next EU framework for research and innovation, https://erc.europa.eu/news-events/news/statement-erc-scientific-council-next-euFP ERIS analysis conducted on June 16, 2025, https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/eris/app/homePage. Analysis over 2014-2024, with search terms “brain neuroscience cognition behaviour” shows that the Netherlands ranks third highest in receiving ERC funding at 12.8%, directly following Germany and France. European Commission (2013). Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, Options for strengthening responsible research and innovation – Report of the Expert Group on the State of Art in Europe on Responsible Research and Innovation, Publications Office, 2013, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2777/46253 European Commission, Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety. (n.d.). Mental health. Retrieved August 14, 2025, from European Commission website: https://health.ec.europa.eu/non-communicable-diseases/mental-health_en FENS position paper (2018). Statement on the use of animals for research in neuroscience. https://www.fens.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Joint-statement-on-the-use-of-animalsfor-research-in-neuroscience.pdf. Ghamgosar, A., Nemati-Anaraki, L. & Panahi, S. (2023). Barriers and facilitators of conducting research with team science approach: a systematic review. BMC Med Educ 23, 638. doi:. 10.1186/s12909-023-04619-0. Gradinaru V. et al., (2009). Optical Deconstruction of Parkinsonian Neural Circuitry. Science, 324,354-359. DOI:10.1126/science.1167093 Guyonnet-Hencke, T., Portoles, O., de Vries, M., Koderman, E., Winkler, A., Goodall, J., ... & van Kesteren, M. (2025). Rapid cortical auditory evoked potentials audiometry. International Journal of Audiology, 1-11. Homberg, J. R. et al. (2021). The continued need for animals to advance brain research. Neuron, 109(15), 2374-2379. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2021.07.015. 25 Husain, M., Roiser, J.P. (2018) Neuroscience of apathy and anhedonia: a transdiagnostic approach. Nat Rev Neurosci 19, 470–484. doi: 10.1038/s41583-018-0029-9. Jagesar, R. R., Vorstman, J. A., & Kas, M. J. (2021). Requirements and operational guidelines for secure and sustainable digital phenotyping: Design and development study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 23(4), e20996. KNAW (2025). Make universities more accessible to first-generation academics. https://www.knaw.nl/en/news/make-universities-more-accessible-first-generation-academics Kooijman M. N. et al. (2016). The Generation R Study: design and cohort update Eur J Epidemiol. 31(12):1243-1264. doi: 10.1007/s10654-016-0224-9. Kunz, L. et al. (2015). Reduced grid-cell-like representations in adults at genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease. Science, 350(6259):430-3. doi: 10.1126/science.aac8128. Lammers, J., Goossens, F., Lokman, S. et al. Evaluating a selective prevention programme for binge drinking among young adolescents: study protocol of a randomized controlled trial. BMC Public Health 11, 126 (2011). doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-11-126. Liu, M.; Kamper-DeMarco, K.E.; Zhang, J.; Xiao, J.; Dong, D.; Xue, P. Time Spent on Social Media and Risk of Depression in Adolescents: A Dose–Response Meta-Analysis. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19, 5164. https://doi.org/10.3390/ ijerph19095164 Luman M, Tripp G, Scheres A. (2010). Identifying the neurobiology of altered reinforcement sensitivity in ADHD: a review and research agenda. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 34(5):744-54. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2009.11.021. Markram, H. (2012). The human brain project. Scientific American, 306(6), 50-55. Mazzucato, M. (2017). Mission-oriented innovation policy: challenges and opportunities. Martinez-Sanchez, E., & Leech, K. (2015). The challenging road towards a unified animal research network in Europe. PLoS Biology, 13(5), e1002157. Meinders, M. J. et al. (2020). De Parkinson op maat-studie:‘big data’-onderzoek als basis voor zorg op maat voor mensen met de ziekte van Parkinson. Tijdschrift voor Neurologie en Neurochirurgie, 5, 196-201. 32 Gelderland Valley Hospital Medical Haaglanden Medisch Centrum Medical Haga Ziekenhuis Medical IJsselland Ziekenhuis Medical Isala Clinics Medical Jeroen Bosch Ziekenhuis Medical Kempenhaeghe Epilepsy Centre Medical Maasstad Hospital Medical Martini Ziekenhuis Medical Maxima Medical Centre Medical Meander Medical Center Medical Medical Centre Leeuwarden Medical Medisch Spectrum Twente Medical North West Hospital Group Medical Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis Medical Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology Medical Reinier de Graaf Groep Medical Rijndam Rehabilitation Center Medical Rijnstate Hospital Medical Slotervaart Hospital Medical Spaarne Gasthuis Medical St. Antonius Ziekenhuis Medical St. Martin Clinic Medical VieCuri Medisch Centrum Medical Ziekenhuisgroep Twente Medical Zuyderland Medical 33 Epilepsy Institutes of the Netherlands Foundation Specialized medical care Interuniversity Cardiology Institute of the Netherlands Specialized medical care Parnassia Bavo Groep Specialized medical care Royal Dutch Kentalis Specialized medical care Sanquin Blood Supply Foundation Not-for-profit organization TNO Not-for-profit organization Adelante Corporate organization Brain Innovation B.V. Corporate organization PI Research Ltd Corporate organization ProQR Therapeutics Corporate organization Danone Nutricia Research Corporate organization GE HealthCare Corporate organization Johnson & Johnson Corporate organization Koninklijke Philips N.V. Corporate organization NXP Semiconductors Corporate organization Qualcomm Incorporated Corporate organization Siemens Corporate organization Thales Corporate organization Unilever Corporate organization 34 Appendix 1. Survey Conducted at BCB workshop to identify current challenges and research agenda While having brought about substantial scientific and societal innovation, the BCB field is facing important challenges. To summarize these key challenges, we have asked all workshop participants attending the “Dutch Brain Behaviour and Cognition Day” to fill in a short online survey. We collected responses from 55 participants, all BCB researchers in the Netherlands. Of these 24 indicated to work on fundamental neuroscience, 16 on the topic of health, 8 on education and 5 on safety. 16 participants were PhD students, 8 were postdocs and 31 were assistant professors or higher career researchers. We conducted a short-thematic analysis of open-ended responses using Qualitative Research Analysis GPT, which yielded 5 general themes, listed below: 1: Insufficient and Unstable Funding for Fundamental and Curiosity-Driven Research: A main concern was the lack of sustained funding for fundamental, curiosity-driven research, viewed as essential to innovation but increasingly sidelined by applied priorities and budget cuts. Example Quote: “Budget cuts, which could limit research creativity and trying innovative hypotheses, thoughts and ideas” 2: Fragmentation and Lack of Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Participants emphasized difficulties in fostering interdisciplinary cooperation and connecting across fields, noting the need for shared language, integration of methods, and broader scientific alliances. Example quote: “Integrating methods and knowledge from different fields to foster collaboration and interdisciplinary research.” 3: Weak Societal Engagement and Translation of Research: Respondents identified a gap between science and society, highlighting the challenge of making research relevant, inclusive, and accessible to the public and societal partners. Example Quote: “Translate our research to society. Include societal partners in research, disseminate our findings” 4: Political and Institutional Constraints: Concerns were raised about the influence of political agendas and unstable institutional policies that steer scientific direction, often at odds with researcher autonomy and scientific merit. Example Quote: “The changing political climate and the influence of politicians that decide what is good/important science and what should not be studied.” 5: Barriers to Career Development and Academic Sustainability: Particularly from early-career researchers, there were reports of job insecurity, high competition for grants, and structural instability limiting long-term career growth and continuity in research. Example Quote: “From a 35 point of view of a postdoc, a major challenge is navigating practical barriers like limited long-term funding […] and extremely high competition for grants and permanent positions.” At our workshop, we also asked all BCB researchers what they considered the most important topics for BCB research in the next 10 years to come. By conducting a thematic analysis of the 55 open-ended responses, the following themes for a research agenda were identified: 1. Mental Health Across the Lifespan: A central concern was improving mental health, particularly among youth and in the context of adversity, including societal stressors, psychiatric disorders, and rising digital technology use. Example quote: “How do we improve mental health in young people?” 2. Early detection, understanding, and treatment of neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders, as well as brain health promotion, especially in aging populations: Participants emphasized early detection, understanding, and treatment of neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders, as well as brain health promotion, especially in aging populations. Example quote: “How can we improve early detection of dementia disorders and Parkinson's disease, and further stimulate development of potential treatments?” 3. Impact of Societal and Environmental Stressors on the Brain: Concerns were raised about how crises like climate change, war, and pandemics impact brain development and resilience across the lifespan. Example quote: “The aftermath of climate changes, politics and war and how they altered coping mechanisms” 4. Neuroscience for Learning, Behavior Change, and Resilience: Participants stressed the need for translational research that bridges abstract scientific insights with practical applications, public communication, and societal benefit. Example quote: “How can we communicate and apply (abstract) findings in a useful way to other scientists and stakeholders.” 5. Individual Differences, Personalization, and Neuroscientific Integration: There was strong interest in personalized approaches—studying individual variability through highfrequency longitudinal data, personalized medicine, and integrating cognitive, behavioral, and neural dimensions. Example quote: “How do different brain, behavioural and environmental factors relate to each other. Can we differentiate between individual variations and shared processes, to develop targeted and personalised approaches?” 6. Cognitive and Neural Mechanisms in the Digital and Information Age: Participants identified the need to study how digital environments—social media, misinformation, and technology use—affect cognition, brain development, and mental health, especially in vulnerable groups like youth. Example quote: “Questions on e.g. fake news and 36 disinformation from a fundamental neuroscience perspective. And questions on mental health.” 37 Appendix 2. Bibliometric analysis Alphabetical list of keyphrases used in SciVal tool by Elsevier on July 15th, 2025. The labels used to name Topics are derived from the most frequent key phrases, as determined by semantic analysis of all paper titles, abstracts and keywords. ADHD Across Lifespan and Functionality ADHD and Its Connection to Obesity and Eating Disorders ADHD and Its Connection to Substance Use Disorders Adolescent Risk Behavior and Neural Development Insights AMPA Receptor Dynamics in Synaptic Plasticity Anhedonia and Neural Reward Processing in Depression Aphasia Recovery through Brain Stimulation Techniques Associative Learning Mechanisms in Classical Conditioning Behavioral and Neurochemical Differences in Rat Strains Behavioral Control and Decision-Making Mechanisms Behavioral Insights into Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Models Behavioral Management Strategies for Traumatic Brain Injury Behavioral Systems and Personality Sensitivity Insights Biological Correlates of Antisocial Behavior in Adolescents Borderline Personality Disorder, Diagnostic and Therapies Cell Adhesion Molecules in Cancer and Neurobiology Cerebellar Contributions to Cognitive and Motor Functions Cerebellar Development and Granule Cell Formation Cerebellar Mechanisms in Motor Learning and Control Cerebellar Mechanisms in Saccadic Eye Movements Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy and Microbleeds Impact Chemogenetic Tools for Neural Circuit Manipulation Childhood Trauma and Its Lasting Impact on Brain Development Cholesterol Levels and Suicide Risk Correlation Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Quality of Life Insights Circadian Rhythms and Mood Disorder Interactions Circadian Rhythms and Social Influences on Behavior Circadian Rhythms and Their Metabolic Implications Cocaine Dependence and Neuroplasticity Mechanisms Cognitive and Emotional Dimensions of Anorexia Nervosa Cognitive Assessment Tools and Traditional Medicine Correlation Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Adult ADHD Treatment Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia Management Cognitive Control and Hierarchical Representation in the Prefrontal Cortex Cognitive Control Mechanisms in Error Processing Cognitive Effects of Cannabis Use on Brain Function Cognitive Enhancements throughVideo Game Engagement Cognitive Impacts of Sleep Deprivation on Memory 38 Cognitive Impairment and Anesthesia in Surgery Cognitive Impairment in Cocaine Dependence Treatment Cognitive Impairment in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Cognitive Load and Multimedia Learning Design Cognitive Load Management in Learning Environments Cognitive Networks in Attention and Executive Functions Cognitive Penetration and Perceptual Experience Dynamics Cognitive Performance and Behavioral Flexibility in Aves Cognitive Performance Impacts of Sleep Deprivation Cognitive Processes and Brain Connectivity Insights Cognitive Processes in Eating Disorders and Bulimia Cognitive Processes in Insight Problem Solving Cognitive Reappraisal and Emotion Regulation Strategies Cognitive Rehabilitation Strategies for Brain Injury Recovery Cognitive Training Effects on Memory Function Collective Behavior and Decision-Making in Animal Groups Communication and Recovery in Locked-in Syndrome Comorbidity of Eating Disorders and Substance Abuse Computerized Cognitive Assessment and Ethical Governance Connectivity and Function of the Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis Contextual Influences on Facial Emotion Perception Cortical Interneuron Dynamics in Sensory Processing Cortisol and Immune Response in PTSD Cortisol and Memory: Stress Responses in the Brain Cortisol Dynamics in Stress and Development Cultural Competence and Trauma in Child Health Care Decoding Neural Representations through fMRI Techniques Delay Discounting and Impulsivity in Decision-Making Dementia Care Models in Primary Health Systems Dementia Risk Factors and Prevention Strategies Depression and Cardiovascular Disease Interconnection Dichotic Listening and Auditory Perception Asymmetry Dietary Patterns and Their Impact on Depression Digital Interventions for Mental Health Improvement Digital Literacies and Online Information Comprehension Disruptive Mood Disorders in Youth Dopamine's Influence on Effort and Decision-Making Dopamine's Role in Reward-Based Decision-Making Dynamic Emotional Processes in Depression Assessment Eating Disorders in Adolescents and Adults EEG-fMRI Integration for Epilepsy Insights Electrical Stimulation in Cognitive Rehabilitation Strategies Electroencephalography Insights into Social Anxiety Embodied Cognition and Semantic Representation Dynamics 39 Embodiment and Perception in Virtual Environments Emotional Modulation of Startle Responses in Humans Emotional Processing and Facial Expression Recognition Emotional Processing and Visual Perception Mechanisms Enhancing Vision Recovery in Hemianopia Patients Estrogen Receptors and Cognitive Function in Women Estrogen's Influence on Metabolic Health and Obesity Evolutionary Insights into Brain Size and Function Evolutionary Insights into Depression and Psychiatry Exercise Addiction and Eating Disorder Interconnections Eye Movement Desensitization for Trauma Recovery Eyelid Reflex and Cognitive Dynamics in Patients Face Recognition and Visual Perception Facial Expression Dynamics and Emotional Responses False Confessions and Interrogation Dynamics False Memory Across Age Groups Fear Conditioning and Anxiety Disorders Food Addiction and Behavioral Patterns Fragile X Syndrome: Insights into Neurodevelopmental Mechanisms Functional Connectivity and Brain Mapping Insights Functional Connectivity and Brain Structure in Insomnia Functional Connectivity in Major Depressive Disorder Functional Neurological and Conversion Disorders Genetic Influences on Physical Activity Behavior Genetic Influences on Serotonin Transporter Function Genetic Insights into Mental Disorder Associations Genetic Mechanisms and Pathways in Autism Spectrum Disorder Genetic Variants and Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Autism Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback in Stress Management Hippocampal Mechanisms in Memory Representation Hostility and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors Hyperactivity and Anorexia Nervosa in Rodent Models Illusory Contours and Visual Perception Dynamics Imagery Rescripting in Mental Health Treatment Impact of Social Isolation on Rat Behavior Impulsivity and Cognitive Control in Behavioral Tasks Impulsivity and Its Impact on Behavior Individual Behavioral Variation in Animal Populations Influences of Early Puberty on Adolescent Behavior Innovative Therapies for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Interbrain Synchrony in Social Interactions Interconnections Between Sleep Disorders and Chronic Pain Interoceptive Awareness and Emotional Processing Insights Interventions for Childhood Obesity Prevention in Europe 40 Ketamine's Antidepressant Effects and Mechanisms Light's Influence on Circadian Rhythms and Health Magnetoencephalography in Brain Activity Mapping Mapping Cytoarchitecture of the Human Cerebral Cortex Marmosets as Models for Human Health Research Maternal Deprivation Effects on Stress Response Melanin Concentrating Hormone in Energy Regulation Memory Assessment Tools for Alzheimer's Disease Memory Reconsolidation and Its Role in Fear Conditioning Mental Health Challenges in Juvenile Justice Youth Mental Health Impacts of COVID-19 Pandemic Mental Representation and Text Comprehension Dynamics Mental Stress and Its Impact on Coronary Health Metacognitive Insights on Student Learning Performance Microsaccades and Visual Perception Dynamics Mindfulness Approaches in Substance Use Treatment Mindfulness Meditation and Brain Connectivity Insights Mismatch Negativity in Auditory Processing Mechanisms Mobile Technology in Mental Health Interventions Multisensory Integration and Auditory Perception Mechanisms Neural Circuit Development in Retinal Pathways Neural Dynamics of Social Decision-Making Processes Neural Interfaces for Motor Control and Sensation Neural Mechanisms in Anxiety Disorders and Treatments Neural Mechanisms in Sentence Processing and Semantic Integration Neural Mechanisms of Aggression and Impulsiveness Neural Mechanisms of Consciousness and Perception Neural Mechanisms of Decision-Making and Value Assessment Neural Mechanisms of Emotion and Experience Neural Mechanisms of Fear Conditioning and Memory Neural Mechanisms of Self-Referential Processing Neural Mechanisms of Taste and Texture Processing Neural Mechanisms of Visual Attention and Perception Neural Mechanisms of Visual Orientation and Processing Neural Mechanisms of Working Memory in the Prefrontal Cortex Neural Oscillations in Memory and Perception Neural Responses to Infant Cuteness and Caregiving Neurobiological Insights into Dyslexia and Reading Processes Neurobiological Insights into Substance Use Disorders Neurobiological Mechanisms of Drug Seeking Behavior Neurobiological Mechanisms of Obesity and Eating Behavior Neurobiological Mechanisms of Predator-Induced Fear Responses Neurocognitive Insights into Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Neurofeedback Applications in Brain Connectivity Enhancement 41 Neurogenesis and Its Role in Hippocampal Function Neuroscience Insights in Teacher Education Practices Neurovascular Coupling and Brain Mapping Techniques NMDA Receptor Dynamics in Neurological Disorders Olfactory and Trigeminal Responses in Human Perception Optogenetics and Channelrhodopsin in Neural Control Oxytocin and Vasopressin in Social Behavior Dynamics Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury Outcomes Perceptual Distortions in Migraine and Art Perceptual Learning Mechanisms in Visual and Tactile Domains Physiological Regulation and Child Development Insights Plasticity Mechanisms in Visual Cortex Development Post-Stroke Fatigue and Quality of Life Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Across Contexts Predictive Processing and Active Inference in Neuroscience Psychiatric Disorders Following Traumatic Brain Injury Psychological Flexibility and Acceptance in Therapy Psychometric Evaluation of Anxiety and Depression Measures Psychopathy and Its Impact on Behavior Rabies Virus Applications in Electrophysiology and Neuronal Mapping Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Depression Treatment Resilience Factors in Adolescent Mental Health Retrieval Practice and Metacognition in Learning Reversible Lesions of the Corpus Callosum in Encephalopathy Rhythm and Auditory Perception in Human Movement Self-Awareness and Rehabilitation in Brain Injury Self-Regulated Learning in Diverse Educational Environments Sensory Processing Challenges in Autism Spectrum Disorder Shame and Guilt in Adolescents Sleep Disorders and Alzheimer's Disease Connection Sleep Disorders and Their Impact on Suicidal Ideation Sleep Disorders in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Sleep's Role in Memory Consolidation and Brain Activity Social Dynamics and Emotional Responses in Rodents Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults Social Withdrawal and Inhibition in Youth Somatoform Disorders and Health Anxiety Spatial Memory and Navigation in Diverse Species Spatial Memory Mechanisms in Rodent Navigation Split-Brain Dynamics and Consciousness Steady-State Visual Evoked Potentials in Brain-Computer Interfaces Subject-Verb Agreement in Language Production Support Systems for Caregivers of Dementia Patients Synaptic Mechanisms in Neurotransmission and Endocytosis