Picower Institute for Learning and Memory

New faculty of the MIT School of Science: (clockwise from top left) Netta Engelhardt, Evelina Fedorenko, Erin Kara, Pulin Li, Morgan Sheng, Seychelle Vos, and Xiao Wang.

New faces in the School of Science faculty

Departments of Biology, Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Chemistry, and Physics welcome new faculty members.

July 23, 2019

At left is the brain of a mouse genetically programmed to develop Alzheimer’s disease. At right, the brain of a mouse programmed to develop the disease, but treated with noninvasive visual stimulation, shows much less neurodegeneration.

Why visual stimulation may work against Alzheimer’s

New findings help explain the surprising discovery that exposure to flickering light reduces amyloid plaques in mice.

May 7, 2019

A new MIT Picower Institute study in a fruit fly model of epilepsy reveals how the genetic mutation involved leads to seizures: an imbalance of ions.

Study reveals how glial cells may play key epilepsy role

Mutation in disease model flies undermines maintenance of key ion balance.

May 2, 2019

In the Alzheimer’s affected brain, abnormal levels of the beta-amyloid protein clump together to form plaques (seen in brown) that collect between neurons and disrupt cell function. Abnormal collections of the tau protein accumulate and form tangles (seen in blue) within neurons, harming synaptic communication between nerve cells.

A comprehensive map of how Alzheimer’s affects the brain

Analysis of genes altered by the disease could provide targets for new treatments.

May 1, 2019

MIT neuroscientists will study the effects of phytocannabinoids on dopamine-containing neurons (turquoise) in basal ganglia circuits. These deep-brain circuits, which contain receptors that mediate the effects of cannabis, are known to influence mood and decision-making processes.

Alumnus gives MIT $4.5 million to establish the Broderick Fund for Phytocannabinoid Research

Gifts to MIT and Harvard Medical School totaling $9 million will fund independent research on cannabinoid’s influence on brain health and behavior.

April 30, 2019

Researchers saw sharp increases in the power of theta frequency rhythms (warmer colors) in the frontal cortex as volunteers performed an experimental task.

Deep stimulation improves cognitive control by augmenting brain rhythms

Finding could improve development of personalized psychiatric treatments.

April 8, 2019

School of Science announces 2019 Infinite Mile Awards

Ten staff members in the School of Science are recognized for going above and beyond their job descriptions to support a better Institute.

April 2, 2019

Picower Professor Li-Huei Tsai (standing), co-director of the Alana Down Syndrome Center, reviews data in the lab with Senior Alana Fellow Hiruy Meharena.

Alana gift to MIT launches Down syndrome research center, technology program for disabilities

Foundation’s $28.6 million gift will fund science, innovation, and education to advance understanding, ability, and inclusion.

March 20, 2019

By exposing mice to a unique combination of light and sound, MIT neuroscientists have shown that they can improve cognitive and memory impairments similar to those seen in Alzheimer’s patients. At left, the mouse cortex shows a reduction in amyloid plaques following visual and auditory stimulation, compared to the untreated mouse at right.

Brain wave stimulation may improve Alzheimer’s symptoms

Noninvasive treatment improves memory and reduces amyloid plaques in mice.

March 14, 2019

Tsai earns Hans Wigzell's Prize in Medicine

Award recognizes Alzheimer's disease discoveries.

January 25, 2019

Some variants of the SYNE1 gene, such as V551A top right, reduced the ability of the protein CPG2, shown here as bright spots, to locate in protruding spines of dendrites that house excitatory synapses in the neurons of rats.

Study shows how specific gene variants may raise bipolar disorder risk

Findings could help inform new therapies, improve diagnosis.

January 17, 2019

This confocal microscopy image of the locus coeruleus region of the mouse brain displays noradrenergic neurons in red and GABAergic neurons in cyan. A noradrenergic neuron recorded in the study is highlighted in white.

Brain study finds circuits that may help you keep your cool

Research by neuroscientists at MIT’s Picower Institute for Learning and Memory helps explain how the brain regulates arousal.

January 15, 2019

A 3-D rendering of mouse visual cortex stretching from the surface at left to the subplate on the right. The green color represents calcium signals of neural activity and magenta represents blood vessels and myelin fibers in the white matter.

Scope advance gives first look through all cortical layers of the awake brain

Substantial refinements of three-photon microscopy allow for novel discoveries in neuroscience.

January 11, 2019

Researchers found that a type of nerve cell found in the gut of the worm Caenorhabditis elegans is specialized to detect when bacteria are ingested.

Gut-brain connection signals worms to alter behavior while eating

Study may lead to a better understanding of the digestive tract’s nervous system.

December 20, 2018

Matthew Wilson and former postdocs Zhe "Sage" Chen and Fabian Kloosterman have been working for a decade on systems to decode neural signals.

Real-time readouts of thinking in rats

New open-source system provides fast, accurate neural decoding and real-time readouts of where rats think they are.

December 19, 2018

MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology

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