Research at Donders Institute

The human brain, with around 100 billion neurons and 100,000 kilometers of connections, surpasses supercomputers in storage capacity. Scientists from various disciplines—medicine, linguistics, biology, physics, psychology, and mathematics—are investigating how neurons work together to influence cognition and behaviour. They use diverse methods, including genetics, behaviour studies, brain imaging (EEG, MEG, 14Tesla MRI), brain stimulation (TMS, tACS, FUS), patient studies, population surveys, computational modeling, and AI. Our strength is in our collaborative, interdisciplinary approach.

Research themes

Our research covers the unique interface between genetic, molecular and cellular processes at one end and computational, system-level neuroscience with cognitive and behavioral analysis at the other end. Within this range we focus on four research themes.

Language and communication

To understand the complexity of human language faculty and its development.

Theme 1

Perception, action, and decision making

The neural and cognitive mechanisms that allow us to perceive the world, make actions and decisions.

Theme 2

Development and lifelong plasticity

The capacity to continuously alter neural structure and function in response to experience or injury

Theme 3

Natural computing and neurotechnology

Theoretical, computational, experimental, and technological research to uncover brain mechanisms.

Theme 4

Highlighted projects

DYNAMIC

Research

A consortium of seven partners, led by the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour (Radboud University)will build the world's first MRI scanner with a magnetic field strength of 14 Tesla in Nijmegen.

Focused Ultrasound Initiative