Brain Facts
BrainFacts.org
Check out BrainFacts.org, a public information initiative of The Kavli Foundation, the Gatsby Charitable Foundation, and SfN. The site contains information for the public on how the brain works and how brain research is progressing worldwide. Check out the press release about the recent launch.
Neuroscience Education Resources
Public Education and Outreach
Learn more about the Society’s public education and outreach efforts.
Core Concepts
Essential principles about the brain and nervous system that the public should know.
Online Education Gateway—NERVE
Access information and tools for teaching about the nervous system and related health issues. Targets grades K-12.
Neuroscience Education Resources
Valuable resources for supporting neuroscience education activities.
Contact
Reach SfN staff at brainfacts@sfn.org.
A Primer on the Brain and Nervous System
Brain Facts is a 74-page primer on the brain and nervous system, published by SfN. Designed for a lay audience as an introduction to neuroscience, Brain Facts is also a valuable educational resource used by high school teachers and students who participate in Brain Awareness Week.
The 2008 edition updates all sections and includes new information on brain development, learning and memory, language, neurological and psychiatric illnesses, potential therapies, and more.
Download the full book (PDF) or download individual sections below. All downloads are PDFs.
Educators, request a copy of the Brain Facts book (paperback or CD) - contact BAW@SfN.org.
Overview
Table of Contents | Introduction
Main Content
The Neuron: Neurotransmitters and Neuromodulators | Second Messengers
Brain Development: Birth of Neurons and Brain Wiring | Paring Back | Critical Periods
Sensation and Perception: Vision | Hearing | Taste and Smell | Touch and Pain
Learning, Memory, and Language: Learning and Memory | Language
Movement
Sleep: Brain Activity During Sleep | Sleep Disorders | How is Sleep Regulated?
Stress: The Immediate Response | Chronic Stress
Aging: Aging Neurons | Intellectual Capacity
Neural Disorders: Advances and Challenges: Addiction | Alzheimer's Disease | Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis | Anxiety Disorders | Attention Deficity Hyperactivity Disorder | Autism | Bipolar Disorder | Brain Tumors | Down Syndrome | Dyslexia | Huntington's Disease | Major Depression | Multiple Sclerosis | Neurological AIDS | Neurological Trauma | Pain | Parkinson’s Disease | Schizophrenia | Seizures and Epilepsy | Stroke | Tourette Syndrome
New Diagnostic Methods: Imaging Techniques | Gene Diagnosis
Potential Therapies: New Drugs | Trophic Factors | Engineered Antibodies | Small Molecules and RNAs | Cell and Gene Therapy
Neuroethics
Conclusion
Glossary | Neuroscience Resources
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