A report on the area of neuroscience and behavior in Brazil

Abstract

Neuroscience comprises the study of the neural control of vegetative, sensory and motor functions; of the locomotion, reproduction and feeding behaviors; and of the mechanisms of attention, memory, learning, emotion, language and communication. It has, therefore, an important area of interface with Psychology. Among its goals, neuroscience seeks to explain the mechanisms of neurologic and mental diseases through the study of the normal and pathologic nervous system. Its evolution in Brazil has occurred since the middle of the past century, and its development was encouraged by the creation of specific scientific societies. The present article describes this development and the main active groups in Brazilian neuroscience.