About the Institute

Mission Statement

The mission of the Penn State Neuroscience Institute (PSNI) is to catalyze scholarship across molecular, cellular, systems, computational, translational, cognitive, and behavioral neuroscience. The Institute facilitates research and training excellence across questions related to the health and physiological flourishing of the brain, and brings together our diverse community of neuroscientists across campuses to share ideas and opportunities.

Vision Statement

PSNI strives to facilitate impactful and transformational science across traditional disciplinary boundaries. We aim to expand research excellence both within and beyond the brain.

Learn more about our neuroscience centers

Center for Brain, Behavior, and Cognition

Center for Molecular Investigation of Neurological Disorders

Center for Movement Science and Technology

Center for Neural Engineering

Center for Neurotechnology in Mental Health Research


Learn more about the Neuroscience PhD Program here

Morphological characteristics of activated astrocytes in aged hippocampus
Morphological characteristics of activated astrocytes in aged hippocampus. Image courtesy of Bill Freeman.
Image from inside a mouse brain
Image from inside a living mouse brain using a two-photon microscope; neuronal dendrites expressing YFP are shown in green, blood vessels in red. Copyright: Patrick Drew.
Spiking neural network simulations
Spiking neural network simulations. Image courtesy of Lyle Long.