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Top-down and bottom-up neuroscience: overcoming the clash of research cultures

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.
Publication status:
Published
Peer review status:
Reviewed (other)

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Publisher copy:
10.1038/s41583-025-00946-x

Authors

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Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MSD
Department:
Psychiatry
Role:
Author
More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MSD
Department:
Psychiatry
Role:
Author
ORCID:
0000-0002-3461-6431
More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MSD
Department:
Psychiatry
Role:
Author
ORCID:
0000-0002-3908-6898


More from this funder
Funder identifier:
https://ror.org/029chgv08
Funding agency for:
Luppi, AI
Grant:
226924/Z/23/Z
Programme:
Early Career Award
More from this funder
Funder identifier:
https://ror.org/04t0s7x83
Funding agency for:
Pessoa, L
Grant:
MH071589
More from this funder
Funder identifier:
https://ror.org/00znyv691
Funding agency for:
Kringelbach, ML
Programme:
Center for Music in the Brain
More from this funder
Funder identifier:
https://ror.org/01kpjmx04
Funding agency for:
Kringelbach, ML
Programme:
Centre for Eudaimonia and Human Flourishing
More from this funder
Funder identifier:
https://ror.org/05fd9ct06
Funding agency for:
Turkheimer, F


Publisher:
Springer Nature
Journal:
Nature Reviews Neuroscience More from this journal
Volume:
26
Issue:
9
Pages:
513–515
Place of publication:
England
Publication date:
2025-07-21
DOI:
EISSN:
1471-0048
ISSN:
1471-003X
Pmid:
40696003


Language:
English
Subtype:
Comment
Pubs id:
2248801
Local pid:
pubs:2248801
Deposit date:
2025-12-19
ARK identifier:

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