Starting out as an informal gathering of scientists meeting at the Black Horse Public House in London to discuss brain-related topics (the 'London Black Horse Group'),[1] on 23 February 1968 it was formerly established as the Brain Research Association, and subsequently relaunched as the British Neuroscience Association in 1997.
[2][3] The BNA is the largest UK organisation of its kind, supporting and promoting neuroscience and neuroscientists.
It is a registered charity (number 1103852),[4] with charitable objects as follows: ‘To preserve and protect health and advance public education in neurosciences related to health and disease (in particular but not exclusively) by:’ The BNA is a member of the International Brain Research Organization (IBRO), the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS), and the Royal Society of Biology (RSB).
The BNA publishes a peer-reviewed scientific journal, Brain and Neuroscience Advances with Jeffrey W. Dalley (Cambridge University) and Kate Baker as co-editors-in-chief.
The festivals are unique in bringing together multiple people and organisations with a shared interested in neuroscience - societies, charities, companies, scientists, clinicians and members of the public too.