Picower Institute for Learning and Memory

MIT neuroscientists have linked the vulnerability of neurons in Hungtington's disease to the release of mitochondrial RNA and an associated immune system response. In this image, on the right are neurons from a Huntington's model mouse showing much more PKR (a marker of immune response to mitochondrial RNA) in green than neurons on the left, which are from a healthy mouse.

Neural vulnerability in Huntington’s disease tied to release of mitochondrial RNA

Unique survey of gene expression by cell type in humans and mice reveals several deficits affecting the most vulnerable neurons.

July 21, 2020

The left side shows a "tonic" neuron (stained green) growing to just one muscle on the right of the panel. In the next panel, one can see a "phasic" neuron (also stained green) connecting to more than one muscle.

Seemingly similar, two neurons show distinct styles as they interact with the same muscle partner

Diversity in how cells talk to the muscle they innervate reveal distinct propensities for change, or “plasticity.”

July 20, 2020

Within a microscope image of neurons from the hippocampus region of a rodent brain (left), a zoomed-in section (red square) of a neuron's dendrites shows spines (right) where many synaptic connections with other neurons reside.

Findings weaken notion that size equals strength for neural connections

Among study’s many surprises may be a new way to address Fragile X syndrome — by finding a “protein X.”

July 14, 2020

Using a new kind of microscope that closely tracks every movement, researchers seeking to study how organisms coordinate movement behaviors compiled a compendium of 100 reference postures that encompass the range of typical C. elegans poses.

How worms move: Dopamine helps nematodes coordinate motor behaviors

To spy on worms for days on end, Picower Institute scientists invent a new open-source microscopy platform.

June 30, 2020

When keeping track of location a particular region of the brain, the lateral septum, pays special attention to where the reward is located, compared to another region, the hippocampus, that tracks location without that same bias.

Like a treasure map, brain region emphasizes reward location

The lateral septum encodes spatial information with a special emphasis on where the reward lies.

June 23, 2020

In Alzheimer's disease, the blood-brain barrier can become disrupted by the accumulation of amyloid protein, especially in people who carry a genetic variant called APOE4. This 3D rendering of an APOE4-carrying engineered blood vessel shows heavy accumulation of amyloid protein (green).

Study finds path for addressing Alzheimer’s blood-brain barrier impairment

MIT researchers pinpoint mechanism and demonstrate that drugs could help.

June 15, 2020

Researchers are studying the role of the immune system molecule IL-6 in Huntington's disease, which leads to neurodegeneration in a region of the brain called the striatum. In this figure from a prior study, green staining highlights Stat3 in the striatum. Stat3 is a major transducer of IL-6 signaling.

Research highlights immune molecule’s complex role in Huntington’s disease

Knocking out the immune cytokine IL-6 exacerbates symptoms in HD model mice, affects neural connection genes.

June 8, 2020

A new technology called ELAST transforms tissues, such as this slab of human brain, to make them reversibly stretchable or compressible, as well as much more durable. This allows them to be repeatedly stretched out or squished down thin for much faster infusion of labeling probes, which labs use to highlight cells or molecules under the microscope.

Making tissue stretchable, compressible, and nearly indestructible

Chemical process called ELAST allows labeling probes to infuse more quickly, and makes samples tough enough for repeated handling.

May 20, 2020

MIT scientists have identified a potential new strategy for treating Fragile X syndrome, a disorder that is the leading heritable cause of intellectual disability and autism. The team includes, from left–right: Amanda Coranado, Arnold Heynen, Mark Bear, Rebecca Senter, Laura Stoppel, and Patrick McCamphill.

Scientists find a new way to reverse symptoms of Fragile X

Drug compound, tested in mice, could be effective in treating the leading heritable cause of intellectual disability and autism.

May 20, 2020

In this figure, neurons in the bottom row, which are missing the HDAC1 gene, show higher levels of DNA damage (green) than normal neurons.

Study finds that aging neurons accumulate DNA damage

Reactivating an enzyme that promotes DNA repair can help to reverse age-related cognitive decline in mice.

May 18, 2020

MIT researchers have found that a protein called SYT7 appears to limit activity at neural connections called synapses. Here, synapses glowing light green are engaged in neurotransmitter release.

Study finds “volume dial” for turning neural communication up or down

The protein Synaptotagmin 7 limits supply of neurotransmitter-containing vesicles for release at synapses.

May 13, 2020

Mounting evidence suggests that the SARS-CoV-2 virus affects the brain, as well as the lungs.

How could Covid-19 and the body’s immune response affect the brain?

Picower Institute researchers are embarking on experiments to learn the mechanisms by which coronavirus might affect mental health.

April 28, 2020

“I’m grateful that I have skills to contribute during this time when the hospital needs our help and patients need our help,” says Picower Institute researcher and Massachusetts General Hospital neurologist Diane Chan, who has been helping evaluate patients in respiratory illness clinics during the coronavirus pandemic.

Covid-19 calls MIT physician-scientist to front-line respiratory care

Neurologist and researcher Diane Chan pitches in to help New England get through tough times.

April 22, 2020

MIT Senior Research Associate Kendyll Burnell and her poodle Soma examine neural imaging data together at home during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Researching from home: Science stays social, even at a distance

Picower Institute researchers are advancing their work in many ways despite time away from the lab required to corral Covid-19.

April 7, 2020

“When you encounter something new, there are some really new and notable stimuli, but you already know quite a bit about that particular experience, because it’s a similar kind of experience to what you have already had before,” says Susumu Tonegawa, a professor of biology and neuroscience at the RIKEN-MIT Laboratory of Neural Circuit Genetics at MIT’s Picower Institute for Learning and Me...

Neuroscientists find memory cells that help us interpret new situations

Neurons that store abstract representations of past experiences are activated when a new, similar event takes place.

April 6, 2020

MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology

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