Business Wire

LUNDBECK-FOUNDATION

Share
Pioneering work in computational and theoretical neuroscience is awarded the world’s largest brain research prize

The Lundbeck Foundation has announced the recipients of The Brain Prize 2024, the world’s largest award for outstanding contributions to neuroscience. This year’s award recognizes the pioneering work of three leading neuroscientists – Professor Larry Abbott at Columbia University (USA), Professor Terrence Sejnowski at the Salk Institute (USA), and Professor Haim Sompolinsky at Harvard University (USA) and the Hebrew University (Israel).

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240305504553/en/

To view this piece of content from mms.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.

Credit: The Lundbeck Foundation

Theoretical and computational neuroscience permeates neuroscience today and is of increasingly growing importance. The winners of The Brain Prize 2024 have made pioneering contributions to these scientific areas by uncovering some of the principles that govern the brain’s structure, function, and the emergence of cognition and behaviour.

The Brain Prize 2024 worth DKK 10 million (€1.3 million) is awarded to:
Larry Abbott (USA), Terrence Sejnowski (USA), and Haim Sompolinsky (Israel/USA) for their Foundational work in Computational and Theoretical Neuroscience.

Chair of The Brain Prize Selection Committee, Professor Richard Morris, explains the reasoning behind this year’s award:

It is inconceivable to imagine modern brain sciences without the concomitant development of computational and theoretical neuroscience. The three scientists have applied novel and sophisticated approaches from physics, mathematics, and statistics to study the brain. They have developed vital tools for the analysis of highly complex datasets acquired by modern day experimental neuroscientists.

The three prize winners have also proposed conceptual frameworks for understanding some of the brain’s most fundamental processes such as learning, memory, perception and how the brain generates maps of the external world. They have also provided crucial new insights into what may go awry in several devastating disorders of the nervous system, such as epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, and schizophrenia. In addition, their scientific achievements have paved the way for the development of brain-inspired artificial intelligence, one of the emerging and transformational technologies of our time.

On behalf of the Lundbeck Foundation, CEO Lene Skole extends her warmest congratulations to each of the three Brain Prize recipients:

Their pioneering research has created trailblazing knowledge and paved the way for other scientists to better understand critical brain functions, also in relation to diseases. It aligns fully with our purpose of bringing discoveries to lives. Each of their scientific endeavours began in the 70’s, and their determination, courage and persistence over decades should serve as inspiration for other scientists, and indeed be rewarded.”

FACTS

The human brain consists of approximately 100 billion neurons connected by trillions of synaptic connections. Every function the brain performs relies on the flow of information through these staggeringly complex networks of neurons. A fundamental goal of neuroscience is to understand how these networks are wired together, and how the patterns of neural activity within them give rise to cognition and behaviour. The sheer complexity of the brain means that understanding its language requires theoretical and computational approaches.

Theoretical and computational neuroscience uses mathematics, computer science, theoretical analysis, and abstractions of the brain to understand the principles that govern its structure, how it processes information, generates behaviour, and gives rise to cognitive abilities as perception, imagination, intelligence, the formation of knowledge, memory, problem-solving, decision-making, and the production of language. The field has laid the foundations for the development of AI - one of the most revolutionary developments in modern science.

MORE INFO

Find out more – see the information pack of The Brain Prize 2024 >>

About The Brain Prize

The Brain Prize is the world’s largest neuroscience research prize, and it is awarded each year by the Lundbeck Foundation. The Brain Prize recognises highly original and influential advances in any area of brain research, from basic neuroscience to applied clinical research. Recipients of The Brain Prize may be of any nationality and work in any country in the world. Since it was first awarded in 2011, The Brain Prize has been awarded to 47 scientists from 10 ten different countries. The Brain Prize recipients are presented with their award by His Royal Highness, King Frederik of Denmark, at a ceremony in the Danish capital, Copenhagen.

About the Lundbeck Foundation

The Lundbeck Foundation is an enterprise foundation encompassing a comprehensive range of commercial and philanthropic activities – all united by its strong purpose; Bringing Discoveries to Lives. The Foundation is the long-term and engaged owner of several international healthcare and medtech companies – Lundbeck, Falck, ALK, Ellab, and Ferrosan Medical Devices – and an active investor in business, science and people through its commercial investments in the financial markets; in biotech companies based on Danish research and through philanthropic grants to science talents and programmes in Danish universities. The Foundation’s philanthropic grants amount to more than DKK 500m annually primarily focusing on the brain – including the world’s largest personal prize awarded in neuroscience, The Brain Prize.

To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240305504553/en/

About Business Wire

Business Wire
Business Wire
101 California Street, 20th Floor
CA 94111 San Francisco

http://businesswire.com
DK

Subscribe to releases from Business Wire

Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Latest releases from Business Wire

IQM and Scientek Corporation Sign Reseller Agreement to Boost Quantum Computing in Taiwan18.9.2025 10:11:00 CEST | Press release

Companies aim at fuelling the local quantum ecosystem growth and promote adoption IQM Quantum Computers and Scientek Corporation, a Taiwan-based reseller of scientific instruments and other high-technology products, today announced the signing of a strategic reseller agreement to accelerate the commercialisation of quantum computing. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250918110284/en/ IQM and Scientek Corporation sign reseller agreement The agreement follows the installation of IQM Spark, the first full-stack superconducting quantum computer at the Taiwan Semiconductor Research Institute (TSRI). Under the reseller agreement, Scientek will sell and promote IQM’s on-premises quantum computers and cloud solutions that meet the evolving needs of universities, research institutions, and enterprises. Combining Scientek's strong market presence and customer-centric approach in Taiwan with IQM’s quantum leadership, the c

Acuity Knowledge Partners Acquires Ascent18.9.2025 09:30:00 CEST | Press release

Acuity Knowledge Partners (Acuity), a leading global provider of bespoke research, data management, analytics and AI solutions to the financial services sector, has announced that it has exchanged on the acquisition of Ascent. The transaction is expected to close on 30th September 2025. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250915732380/en/ L-R: Stewart Smythe, Chief Executive Officer, Ascent; Jon O'Donnell, Chief Operating Officer, Acuity Knowledge Partners, and Robert King, Chief Executive Officer, Acuity Knowledge Partners This strategic move significantly expands Acuity's Data and Technology Services (DTS) division and its offering of technology and AI led services and solutions. Ascent, a leading European provider of AI-powered digital transformation services, supports over 170 clients globally, with 550 data, software, and cloud specialists operating across seven European jurisdictions. “Our acquisition of Asc

Shield and PwC UK Forge Strategic Collaboration to Deliver Future-Ready Communications Compliance18.9.2025 08:00:00 CEST | Press release

Collaboration brings together Shield's AI-first platform with PwC's surveillance expertise to deliver measurable compliance outcomes Shield, a leading AI platform for digital communication governance and archiving, today announced a collaboration with PwC UK, one of the world’s most trusted professional services firms. The alliance brings together Shield’s unified, cloud-native solution with PwC’s specialist expertise in communications surveillance delivery, regulatory compliance and complex programme execution. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250917394739/en/ Shield and PwC launch a strategic collaboration to modernize eComms surveillance with AI-driven compliance solutions for financial institutions. The collaboration is designed to support institutions as they modernise their approach to communications monitoring, helping them implement an advanced and proactive risk management approach at scale and with co

Almirall Presents Long‑Term Results from First Real‑World Dermatology Study Using WHO‑5 Well‑Being Index as Primary Endpoint in the treatment of Psoriasis at EADV 202518.9.2025 08:00:00 CEST | Press release

Results of the POSITIVE study assessing the treatment with tildrakizumab showed sustained improvements in skin clearance, psychological well-being, and improved partner quality of life in adults with moderate-to-severe psoriasis over two years.POSITIVE is the first real-world evidence (RWE) study in dermatology to use the WHO-5 Well-Being Index as a primary endpoint, complementing traditional measures of skin disease (PASI, PGA), quality of life (DLQI), with the assessment of psychological well-being, marking a paradigm shift towards holistic management of psoriasis.The POSITIVE study highlights Almirall’s leadership in advancing patient-centred dermatology aligned with the WHO’s health definition and recent resolution on skin diseases.Almirall’s extensive scientific contributions to EADV 2025 include 44 abstracts across key dermatological conditions including atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, actinic keratosis, and hidradenitis suppurativa, and two expert-led symposia. Almirall, S.A. (ALM

Curatis: FDA Minutes Confirm Positive Outcome of Meeting on 9. September 2025 – Corticorelin on Track for Phase 318.9.2025 07:00:00 CEST | Press release

Curatis Holding AG (SIX:CURN) received the official minutes from the FDA meeting which took place on 9. September. Based on the totality of the feedback and discussions, Curatis can proceed as planned with the clinical development of corticorelin. Corticorelin is under development as a novel treatment intended to reduce or even eliminate steroid use and associated toxicities thereby potentially impacting the quality of life of patients suffering from peritumoral brain edema (PTBE) associated with metastatic (secondary) brain tumors. The virtual meeting with the FDA provided the opportunity to discuss the clinical development plan for corticorelin and encompassed CMC (Chemistry, Manufacturing and Control), nonclinical and clinical aspects. The offical FDA minutes which Curatis received after publication of the half year results reflect the positive outcome. Curatis may proceed without delay to a regulatory submission supporting a pivotal study in patients suffering from PTBE secondary t

In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.

Visit our pressroom
World GlobeA line styled icon from Orion Icon Library.HiddenA line styled icon from Orion Icon Library.Eye