Getting to the Core

Whether you’re up to date with the latest studies in neuroscience or opening a book on neuroscience for the first time, it’s important to get to know the fundamental principles behind the research and discoveries that have built our understanding of the brain.

More than a decade ago, members of the Society for Neuroscience developed the Core Concepts — eight ideas that guide the understanding of our brain and nervous system. These concepts serve as a beginner’s guide to neuroscience and touchstones to deepen your pre-existing knowledge and help place new information into a wider context.

Click on the icons in the image below to explore each of the Core Concepts and then test your knowledge with the Core Concept interactive puzzles. Are you a teacher interested in using the Neuroscience Core Concepts in your curriculum? Consult the Overview Matrix which maps these concepts to the Next Generation Science Standards.

About the Author

Hannah Zuckerman

Hannah is the former Production and Editorial Associate for BrainFacts.org. She graduated from Bryn Mawr College in 2014 with a degree in history. She previously worked at Princeton University Press and the art magazine Sculpture.