From September 21 to 24, 2023, the first BRICS Symposium on Neuroscience was held in Shanghai. The meeting was proposed by leading neuroscientists from the five countries, to promote multilateral collaboration in Neuroscience research among the BRICS countries.

Professor Muming Poo, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China

Professor Jose Rodolfo Lopes de Paiva Cavalcanti, State University of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

Professor Alexey Semyanov, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russia,

Professor Mohanasankar Sivaprakasam, Indian Institute of Technology, India

Professor Paul Manger, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa

The symposium aimed to establish a brain science research consortium among BRICS countries, leveraging their unique research characteristics, with the goal of making significant advancements in the field of brain diseases and fostering collaboration among BRICS countries.

Twenty-four neuroscientists from Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa gathered to share and discuss the most recent advances in their research fields. The Chinese neuroscientists introduced the progress of mapping mesoscopic neural connections in macaques, marmosets, and mice, as well as the application of their self-developed microscopic optical section tomography technology and spatiotemporal omics technology in the exploration of maps. In addition, they presented their research progress in non-human primate genomics, sleep regulation, and the mechanisms underlying brain diseases. Brazilian scientists introduced the neuroanatomy of multiple species and highlighted their progress on the primate connectome, marmoset rhythm research, and depression treatment. The Russian scientists shared their latest developments in astrocyte research, employing cognitive omics concepts and synthetic neurotechnology to investigate brain function, as well as their progress in diagnosing and treating brain diseases. Also, the Indian scientists presented their cutting-edge advances in human whole brain atlas research, along with the corresponding research and development of associated technologies. South African scientists presented the perspective of comparative brain science research, the advances in sleep research among African humans and mammals, and the future directions of brain science research utilizing biodiversity.

Furthermore, a roundtable discussion was conducted to deliberate upon the notion of establishing a neuroscience consortium or even a joint journal among the BRICS countries, the feasibility of engaging in the mesoscopic neural connection atlas program, as well as the advantageous areas and potential directions for collaborative neuroscience research in various countries. The discussion concluded that the use of non-human primates as model animals for brain science research and the advantage of the BRICS countries, holding regular future BRICS neuroscience seminars, and expanded the scale of the conference to allow more scientists to participate.

This Symposium was co-organized by the Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Technology, Institute of Neuroscience (ION), Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology (CEBSIT), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and Shanghai Songjiang Center for Primate Brain Research. Approximately 200 researchers from scientific research institutes and universities in Shanghai attended the meeting.