The normal human brain is made up of about 100 billion nerve cells (neurons). Each nerve cell can have an average of approximately 10-20,000 points of contact with other nerve cells. These contact points are called synapses, which is where the storage of memories takes place.

Researchers at the Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience explore the brain's functioning by detecting and analysing the electrical signals in the brain, primarily in the regions of the brain called the entorhinal cortex and hippocampus. The hippocampus is an older part of the cerebral cortex and has a central role in the functioning of human and animal memory, while the entorhinal cortex contains grid cells, border cells, direction cells, and speed cells that together give the brain the ability to make highly advanced maps.

Since the centre’s inception, Kavli researchers have used laboratory rats as study animals. In the experiments, rats run around in boxes and corridors chasing treats. Simultaneously, very thin electrodes inserted into their brains enable researchers to detect their brain activity. The electrodes, placed in the space between the brain cells, are so sensitive that they distinguish signals from individual neurons in the network. Today KISN research groups study higher brain functions in rats, mice, zebrafish and humans using experimental and theoretical approaches.

• 2023: Principal investigator Soledad Gonzalo Cogno starts up new research group at Kavli.
• 2022: Creation of Centre for Algorithms of the Cortex  
• 2021: Creation of Mohn Research Centre for the brain
• 2021: Principal investigator Maryam Ziaei starts up new research group at Kavli.
• 2020: Opening of K.G. Jebsen Centre for Alzheimer's Disease. Principal investigators Tobias Navarro Schröder, Giulia Quattrocolo og Maximiliano Jose Nigro starts up new research groups at Kavli.
• 2018: May-Britt Moser and Edvard Moser awarded the Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav, in recognition of their research, their social involvement, and their commitment to animal welfare in research.
• 2018: How your brain experiences time: Researchers at the Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience discovers a network of brain cells that express our sense of time within experiences and memories.
• 2018: The Kavli Institute is an internationally leading centre of competence for brain research. The Institute hosts seven research groups, eight principal investigators, 100+ employees and an international student environment.
• 2017: The Starmus IV festival is arranged in Trondheim
• 2016: Principal investigator Christian Doeller starts up new research group at Kavli.
• 2015: Creation of Egil and Pauline Braathen and Fred Kavli Centre for Cortical Microcircuits.
• 2014: May-Britt Moser and Edvard Moser receives the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine together with John O’Keefe for their discovery of the brain’s navigation system.
• 2014: Principal investigator Emre Yaksi starts up new research group at Kavli.
• 2013: Principal investigator Clifford Kentros starts up new research group at Kavli.
• 2012: The Kavli Institute is awarded a second Centre of Excellence, the Centre for Neural Computation is established (funding period: 2012-2022).
• Principal investigator Jonathan Whitlock starts up new research group at Kavli.
• 2011: The Kavli Institute becomes part of NORBRAIN, with Edvard Moser as the national project leader. NORBRAIN is one of the world’s largest infrastructures for research on complex mental functions and dysfunctions, like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
• 2010: Principal investigator Yasser Roudi starts up new research group at Kavli.
• 2007: Principal investigator Menno Witter starts up new research group at Kavli.
• 2007: The research centre becomes a Kavli institute – the fifteenth in the world, the fourth within neuroscience, the third in Europe, the first and only in Norway.
• 2005: International breakthrough: the discovery of grid cells.
• 2002: Centre for the Biology of Memory is established as part of a new Centre of Excellence scheme by the Research Council of Norway (funding period: 2002-2012).
• 1996: Research group with two employees: May-Britt Moser and Edvard Moser. Their first research lab at NTNU is built from a bomb shelter. Their research focus is navigation and memory in the brain.