The December issue of Nature Neuroscience includes a special focus on computational and systems neuroscience highlighting research presented at the Cosyne meeting held this past March in Salt Lake City.

We think that combining theoretical and experimental approaches to studying neuroscience can be a tremendously fruitful approach to studying the brain. In a departure from our usual focus format, this special includes not only commissioned Perspectives, but also primary research articles that we think highlight the value of applying theory to empirical approaches.

Every one of the papers in the focus was subjected to our normal peer review process, and we applied our usual stringent criteria in making the decision to accept or reject. Each one of the papers and met the criteria for publication in a regular issue of Nature Neuroscience.

We hope you enjoy the focus – let us know what you think.