In progress
A committee-supported project or activity that has been completed and for which output dissemination has begun. Its committee has been disbanded and closeout procedures are underway.
The human body relies on complex and coordinated interactions between the brain and peripheral organ systems to maintain a stable biological environment and support essential functions like behavior and cognition. Disruptions in these connections can contribute to neurological, psychiatric, and neurodevelopmental disorders. Despite decades of research, there remain opportunities to explore how brain-body interactions could inform new research methodologies, therapeutic treatments, and clinical practices. On October 22, 2025, the National Academies' Forum on Neuroscience and Nervous System Disorders will host a virtual workshop exploring brain-body interactions, highlighting case studies, tools and technologies, and implications for therapeutic development.
Description
A planning committee of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine will host a two-day public workshop that brings together leaders and experts from different perspectives and sectors to explore the bidirectional communication between the brain and peripheral organ systems, how these interactions may inform new therapeutic development and foster a more holistic approach to brain health.
Invited presentations and discussions may:
- Highlight case studies that document the state of science on brain-body interactions between the central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, and other organ systems.
- Examine current tools and technologies available to study brain-body connections and how large-scale data collection efforts, data science, and artificial intelligence, can contribute to advancing research.
- Explore the implications of brain-body interactions for therapeutic development including clinical trial design and endpoints.
- Discuss what factors (e.g., interdisciplinary research, increased awareness, and workforce training) may be needed to facilitate a paradigm shift that considers the interconnectedness of the brain and body systems in clinical diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment.
A planning committee will develop the agenda for the workshop, select and invite speakers and discussants, and moderate the discussions. Following the workshop, a proceedings of the presentations and discussions will be prepared by a designated rapporteur in accordance with institutional guidelines.
Collaborators
Committee
Co-Chair
Co-Chair
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Sponsors
Acadia Pharmaceuticals
Alzheimer's Association
American Academy of Neurology
American Brain Coalition
American College of Neuropsychopharmacology
American Neurological Association
BrightFocus Foundation
California Institute for Regenerative Medicine
Cohen Veterans Bioscience
Dana Foundation
Department of Veterans Affairs
Eisai
Eli Lilly and Company
Food and Drug Administration
Foundation for the National Institutes of Health
Gatsby Charitable Foundation
Harmony Biosciences
Huo Family Foundation
Janssen Research & Development, LLC
Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
National Eye Institute
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
National Institute of Mental Health
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institute on Aging
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
National Institute on Drug Abuse
National Institutes of Health
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
National Science Foundation
One Mind
Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group
Simons Foundation
Staff
Sheena Posey Norris
Lead
Ashley Pitt
Major units and sub-units
Center for Health, People, and Places
Lead
Biomedical and Health Sciences Program Area
Lead
