By Robert Lawrence Kuhn 

What is China’s Brain Project and how does it differ from brain projects in the U.S., Europe and Japan? The human brain, about 3 pounds of “wet-wear”, is the most complex organization of matter in the known universe. Everything we sense, think and feel comes from our brains. Many incapacitating diseases, especially age-related, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, are diseases of the brain. I know this stuff. My doctorate is in neuroscience, brain research, and I’ve followed the burgeoning field for more than 50 years. What’s the state of China’s brain science today? Its comparative strengths in specific. How does China’s brain project reflection China’s science in general?

Though no country admits to competing in a global ‘brain race’, all appreciate the rewards of curing neuro-degenerative diseases and accelerating brain-inspired artificial intelligence. China’s Brain Project exemplifies China’s goal to become a global powerhouse in science and technology. Its specific objectives are early diagnosis and treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders - thereby reducing medical costs, especially in aging populations - and to catalyze advanced artificial intelligence via brain-based architectures and algorithms. China’s brain science has entered an exciting time, as young and established neuroscientists return from abroad, responding to the government’s commitment to fund research at world-class levels. While China is developing capabilities in all areas of neuroscience, from gene editing to brain imaging, its competitive advantage lies in two areas; a huge population base that enables big data analyses of disease diagnosis and treatment, and the use of nonhuman primates, especially monkeys, for close-to-human animal-model testing. Will China become a new world center for brain science? It takes more than money to attract top talent, including reform of the funding and management systems and greater freedom for scientists. China’s Brain Project exemplifies China’s goal to become a global power house in science and technology. A goal of high international importance has been stressed repeatedly by President Xi Jinping. To track China’s science, track China’s Brain Project, to be Closer To China.