MIT researchers have identified a region of the brain responsible for forming habits, reports Anil Ananthaswamy for New Scientist. The researchers found that when performing an action, the prefrontal cortex, communicates with the striatum. “Over time, input from the prefrontal circuits fades, to be replaced by loops linking the striatum to the sensorimotor cortex,” Ananthaswamy explains.
MIT neuroscientists have identified two regions of the brain involved in creating panoramic memories, writes Tara Pattilachan for The Huffington Post. “Our understanding of our environment is largely shaped by our memory for what’s currently out of sight,” says postdoc Caroline Robertson of the importance of understanding how our brains develop panoramic memories.
MIT researchers have found that genetic engineering could be used to reverse some of the symptoms of autism, reports Carolyn Gregoire for The Huffington Post. The researchers found that turning on the Shank3 gene, “could reverse symptoms associated with autism, such as repetitive behaviors and social avoidance.”