Our vision of how the brain works is constantly evolving through progress of applied physics and mathematics that explore neural activity: molecular imaging of synaptic function, neuroendocrine modulation, cell survival and cellular interactions, mapping of brain functions and description of neuronal networks and plasticity. Conversely, the way in which the nervous system treats complex information inspires new mathematics approaches such as neural networks. Moreover, merging physics approaches with genetics opens the fascinating capacity to control behaviours. Comprehensive training of neuroscientists into these new tools and concepts has become essential.