Neuroscience research， central to both the International Brain Initiative and China’s brain science strategy， seeks to unravel the complexities of the brain and address neurological disorders， with technological innovation at its core. Key to advancing this field is the development of non-invasive imaging techniques with high spatiotemporal resolution and precise， controllable neural modulation methods. Traditional imaging modalities， such as MRI and CT， are constrained by limitations in biological safety， resolution， and tissue penetration. In parallel， external field modulation techniques—based on mechanical， thermal， acoustic， and magnetic principles—are hindered by insufficient spatiotemporal resolution and slow response times. Recently， near-infrared light has emerged as a promising tool in brain science due to its superior tissue penetration and minimal phototoxicity. Among these， lanthanide-based luminescent nanoparticles stand out as key agents for near-infrared light-driven technologies， capable of emitting tunable ultraviolet， visible， and near-infrared light upon near-infrared excitation. These nanoparticles have found widespread applications in biomedical detection， precise diagnostics， and intraoperative navigation. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the latest advancements in the use of lanthanide-based luminescent nanoparticles for neuroimaging and neural modulation， identifies existing technological challenges， and explores future directions from the perspectives of materials science， chemistry， and biomedicine. The review aims to foster interdisciplinary integration， stimulate technological innovation， and inspire breakthroughs in cutting-edge brain science， offering new approaches and strategies for addressing major challenges in life sciences.

lanthanide-based luminescent nanoparticles;bioimaging;neural modulation