Whether speaking Turkish or Norwegian, the brain’s language network looks the same
Studying speakers of 45 languages, neuroscientists found similar patterns of brain activation and language selectivity.
Study illuminates trade-off between complex words and complex sentences
A team of cognitive scientists and doctors finds that patients with aphasia use different cognitive tools to compensate for language deficits.
Artificial neural networks model face processing in autism
A new computational model could explain differences in recognizing facial emotions.
Three distinct brain circuits in the thalamus contribute to Parkinson’s symptoms
Targeting these circuits could offer a new way to reverse motor dysfunction and depression in Parkinson’s patients.
How the brain responds to surprising events
Unexpected outcomes trigger release of noradrenaline, which helps the brain focus its attention and learn from the event.
Chemists reveal how tau proteins form tangles
Two types of tau proteins mix together in a nearly random way to generate the tangles seen in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients.
Early sound exposure in the womb shapes the auditory system
Modeling study suggests that the muffled environment in utero primes the brain’s ability to interpret some types of sound.
New research center focused on brain-body relationship established at MIT
K. Lisa Yang Brain-Body Center to investigate the brain’s complex relationship with other body systems.
Emery Brown wins a share of 2022 Gruber Neuroscience Prize
Brown and three other scientists recognized for advancing statistical, theoretical analyses of neuroscience data.
A voice for change — in Spanish
Postbac Jessica Chomik-Morales hopes to inspire the next generation of Spanish-speaking scientists with her podcast, “Mi Ultima Neurona.”
Is it neuroscience? Chemistry? Art? Wulff Lecture shows versatility, diversity in materials science
Professor Polina Anikeeva’s innovation in the treatment of neurological disorders highlights the interdisciplinary nature of her field.
A brain circuit in the thalamus helps us hold information in mind
This circuit, which weakens with age, could offer a target to help prevent age-related decline in spatial memory.
Circuit that focuses attention brings in wide array of inputs
With a comprehensive map of the wiring, researchers can now discern what information flows into the circuit to enable a key brain function.
Approaching human cognition from many angles
Senior Keith Murray combines his interests in neuroscience, computation, and philosophy to better understand human behavior.
A single memory is stored across many connected brain regions
Innovative brain-wide mapping study shows that an “engram,” the ensemble of neurons encoding a memory, is widely distributed and includes regions not previously realized.