Nonprofit site to provide accurate information and educator resources to support growing public fascination with the “wonders of the brain and mind,” help dispel “neuromyths”
For Immediate Release

Contact:

Society for Neuroscience

Kat Snodgrass ( ), (202) 962-4090

May 7, 2012

NEW WEB SITE, BRAINFACTS.ORG, LAUNCHES TO HELP PUBLIC WORLDWIDE DISCOVER, DISCUSS PROGRESS AND PROMISE OF BRAIN RESEARCH

Nonprofit site to provide accurate information and educator resources to support growing public fascination with the “wonders of the brain and mind,” help dispel “neuromyths”

Washington, DC — A new Web site launching today, BrainFacts.org, offers a new way for people of all ages to learn more about how the brain works, how it drives thought and behavior, and its role in brain diseases and disorders. BrainFacts.org, a public information initiative of The Kavli Foundation, the Gatsby Charitable Foundation, and the Society for Neuroscience (SfN), features nearly 1,000 accessible, scientifically reviewed resources about the brain and mind. The Gatsby and Kavli Foundations generously donated a total of $1.53 million over six years to build and sustain BrainFacts.org.

“Brain research is a scientific field rich with exciting discoveries, profound unknowns, and critical implications for individuals, families, and society,” said SfN President Moses Chao, PhD. “BrainFacts.org plays a vital role by sharing the excitement and importance of neuroscience discovery in ways everyone can understand. We are grateful to The Kavli Foundation and the Gatsby Charitable Foundation for their generosity and partnership on this important effort that is at the heart of SfN’s mission,” Chao said.

At BrainFacts.org, visitors can navigate user-friendly topic centers that include science articles, multimedia, research discussions, learning tools, and more. Parents and teens can explore how the brain develops and factors influencing that development; family members can discover more about underlying causes of diseases and disorders affecting loved ones; and policymakers and concerned citizens can learn more about the scope of neuroscience research worldwide. Emerging tools and technologies, as well as decision-making about the responsible use of animals in research, are also explored. Social media resources engage the public and, as the site develops, blogs for interactive discussion with the public and other features will be added.

“With BrainFacts.org, the Gatsby Charitable Foundation seeks to ensure that accurate information about the brain and nervous system is available to the public, educators, and policymakers worldwide, without boundaries or borders,” said Lord Sainsbury of Turville, the Settlor of the Gatsby Charitable Foundation. 

“BrainFacts.org...