Neuroscience research sees innovations ranging from brain activity imaging to understanding pain and sleep. Stanford researchers developed ultra-sensitive optical instruments using genetically encoded voltage indicators to record neuronal firing in mice, enabling high-resolution studies of brain dynamics. Studies uncovered molecular mechanisms underlying the brain waking process, clarifying sequential activation from frontal decision-making regions to visual areas. Pain neurobiologists identified neural braking mechanisms that dampen acute pain signals, with failure contributing to chronic pain development. New implantable deep-brain-stimulation devices adaptively respond to Parkinson’s disease symptoms. Expanded transcriptomic atlases now incorporate data from Parkinson’s patients to elucidate neurodegeneration.