Amidst the many challenges of 2021, researchers in Brown University's Carney Institute for Brain Science contributed a whirlwind of scientific advances and news about the brain.

From announcements of major philanthropic gifts to support cutting-edge brain science at Brown, to groundbreaking research that demonstrated the first human use of high-bandwidth wireless brain-computer interface, below in reverse chronological order are Carney's top stories of 2021.

Researchers identify brain signals associated with OCD symptoms, paving way for adaptive treatment

The discovery of electrical signals in the brain associated with OCD could enable an emerging type of adaptive deep brain stimulation therapy as an improved treatment.

Improving mental health through computational neuroscience

Carney launched BRAINSTORM, a program that is bridging the gap between basic brain science research and clinical applications for mental well-being.

Brown scientist wins NIH innovator award to illuminate undetected brain activity

Ahmed Abdelfattah received a five-year, $1.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to support research to shed light on brain activity, which could ultimately benefit patients facing a range of disorders.

Seven students receive Carney graduate awards

Through its Graduate Awards in Brain Science, the Carney Institute recognized seven early-career scientists who made outstanding research progress and demonstrated strong potential for successful lifelong scientific careers.

Study showcases how complex behaviors can be performed on ‘autopilot’

When completing a routine task like making a cup of coffee, each motion happens more or less automatically. A study by Carney researchers described how these behavioral processes work.

Beware the ‘molecular parasites’ involved in aging and disease

Carney-affiliated researcher John Sedivy was the lead author of a sweeping review article that discusses the latest thinking and research around transposons.

To advance human rights, consult neuroscience

Scholars found that brain science bolsters long-held notions that people thrive when they enjoy basic human rights such as agency, freedom from want, and freedom from fear.

Computational brain science summer program at Brown opens up a world of science

Through a nine-week program organized by the Carney Institute, undergraduates from multiple universities learned the building blocks of computational brain science, a growing and increasingly important field. 

$500k gift to Carney will sponsor graduate student research into mental health

The generous gift from the Cooper family will endow the Dr. Daniel C. Cooper Graduate Award Fund to recognize graduate students who have made outstanding research progress and demonstrate strong potential for successful lifelong scientific careers.

Study finds systematic wave-like pattern of dopamine’s signaling in reward-based learning

Carney researchers identified how dopamine is transmitted throughout the brain during reward-based learning, providing a new take on traditional understanding of dopamine neurotransmission.

Politically polarized brains share an intolerance of uncertainty

A study on political polarization led by a Carney team showed how an aversion to uncertainty is often associated with black-and-white political views.

Carpenter named president-elect of the Society for Biological Psychiatry

Dr. Linda Carpenter, a member of the Carney Institute Executive Committee, was elected the next president of the Society for Biological Psychiatry. 

With $30 million in support, Brown launches Center for Alzheimer’s Disease Research

By bringing together biomedical research and discovery with world-class physician-scientists advancing care for patients with Alzheimer’s, the center aims to accelerate the pace of development for novel treatments and cures.

Carney researcher to lead new sleep, circadian rhythms center

Bradley Hospital received a $10 million award from the National Institutes of Health to create the first and only research center focused on pediatric sleep patterns, circadian rhythms and mental health. The new Center for Sleep and Circadian Rhythms in Child and Adolescent Mental Health is led by Mary A. Carskadon, a Brown adjunct professor affiliated with the Carney Institute.

Researchers demonstrate first human use of high-bandwidth wireless brain-computer interface

In an important step toward a fully implantable intracortical brain-computer interface system, BrainGate researchers demonstrated the first human use of a wireless transmitter capable of delivering high-bandwidth neural signals.

Carney scientists win awards from Cognitive Neuroscience Society

Amitai Shenhav, an assistant professor at Brown University, and Anne Collins, a former postdoctoral researcher at Brown, received the 2021 Young Investigator Awards.

Why even try? Using brain science to answer one of life’s biggest questions

A study from a Carney research team sheds light on the cognitive processes that occur when humans decide to exert mental effort.

Neurons from patient blood cells enable researchers to test treatments for genetic brain disease

Carney researchers reprogrammed patient blood cells into stem cells to test treatments for Christianson syndrome, finding that treatment responses varied according to the mutations present.

$25 million gift to Brown will fuel innovation in brain science

The generous gift will support computational brain science and endow a program to promote innovative research.

Carney Institute grants $464k in innovation awards to six scientists

The awards support early-stage projects that are too new to attract external funding but have great potential to advance science and benefit society.

Brown brain scientist wins early-career award from National Academy of Sciences

Michael J. Frank, who directs the Center for Computational Brain Science in the Carney Institute for Brain Science, was named one of two recipients of this year’s Troland Award.