Fernando E. Rosas, Andrea I. Luppi, Pedro A. M. Mediano, Morten L. Kringelbach, Luiz Pessoa, Federico Turkheimer
{"title":"Top-down and bottom-up neuroscience: overcoming the clash of research cultures","authors":"Fernando E. Rosas, Andrea I. Luppi, Pedro A. M. Mediano, Morten L. Kringelbach, Luiz Pessoa, Federico Turkheimer","doi":"10.1038/s41583-025-00946-x","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"As scientists, we want solid answers, but we also want to answer questions that matter. Yet, the brain’s complexity forces trade-offs between these desiderata, bringing about two distinct research approaches in neuroscience that we describe as ‘top-down’ and ‘bottom-up’. Recognizing the validity of both approaches dispels misunderstandings and unnecessary tension and promotes constructive interactions.","PeriodicalId":49142,"journal":{"name":"Nature Reviews Neuroscience","volume":"26 9","pages":"513-515"},"PeriodicalIF":26.7000,"publicationDate":"2025-07-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Nature Reviews Neuroscience","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://www.nature.com/articles/s41583-025-00946-x","RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"NEUROSCIENCES","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
As scientists, we want solid answers, but we also want to answer questions that matter. Yet, the brain’s complexity forces trade-offs between these desiderata, bringing about two distinct research approaches in neuroscience that we describe as ‘top-down’ and ‘bottom-up’. Recognizing the validity of both approaches dispels misunderstandings and unnecessary tension and promotes constructive interactions.
期刊介绍:
Nature Reviews Neuroscience is a multidisciplinary journal that covers various fields within neuroscience, aiming to offer a comprehensive understanding of the structure and function of the central nervous system. Advances in molecular, developmental, and cognitive neuroscience, facilitated by powerful experimental techniques and theoretical approaches, have made enduring neurobiological questions more accessible. Nature Reviews Neuroscience serves as a reliable and accessible resource, addressing the breadth and depth of modern neuroscience. It acts as an authoritative and engaging reference for scientists interested in all aspects of neuroscience.