Abstract: The paper reviews the important theories on brain cognitive function and abstracts five basic points of view on brain function and four theories in cognitive science:symbolism, subsymbolism, modulism, and ecological realism. At present, there has been a historical milestone of the research field, because a new theory, techniques and facts appeared in the past few years will changed the theoretical system on brain research. The new trends and the critical dilemma in different levels of the research field are commented, including molecular neurobiology, molecular biology of cell, neurophysiology, neural networks and systems, brain functional imaging, psychology, cognitive theory and neurocomputational theories. Author suggested a new concept on efficiency of brain energy metabolism as a universal quantitative schema in order to communicating among the researchers in different field. The theoretical and methodological bases of the conception are interpreted in detail. The interdisciplinary research will help to establish a new theory in future.

Key words: cognitive theory, brain functional imaging, brain energy metabolism, efficiency of brain energy, simultaneous recording for laser-fluorescent pulses and neuron firings, cognitive theory, brain functional imaging, brain energy metabolism, efficiency of brain energy, simultaneous recording for laser-fluorescent pulses and neuron firings

摘要： 在回顾80年代以前的一些重大理论并将之归纳为５个理论要点的基础上，综述了近年出现的新理论、新技术和新事实，说明脑认知功能研究正在发生重大历史转折。分析了各研究层次上的新进展和重大难题，包括分子神经生物学、细胞生理学、脑功能系统和网络研究、脑成像技术、心理学研究、认知理论和计算研究。提出以脑能量效率为量纲，沟通不同层次、不同学科的研究工作，并设想了这类跨学科研究的途径和方法，希望通过跨学科研究能形成脑认知功能的新理论。

关键词: 认知理论, 脑功能成像, 脑能量代谢, 脑能量效率, 激光-荧光脉冲和神经脉冲的同时测定, 认知理论, 脑功能成像, 脑能量代谢, 脑能量效率, 激光-荧光脉冲和神经脉冲的同时测定