Neuroscience

Researchers at MIT and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard have devised a new way to rapidly image synaptic proteins at high resolution. Using fluorescent nucleic acid probes, they can label and image as many as 12 different proteins in neuronal samples containing thousands of synapses.

Technique can image individual proteins within synapses

Rapid imaging method could help reveal how conditions such as autism affect brain cells.

September 26, 2019

An MIT study is the first to show that a brain region called the lateral septum directly encodes movement information such as speed.

Study finds hub linking movement and motivation in the brain

Detailed observations in the lateral septum indicate region processes movement and reward information to help direct behavior.

September 19, 2019

Eduardo Undurraga, an assistant professor at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, runs a musical pitch perception experiment with a member of the Tsimane’ tribe of the Bolivian rainforest.

Perception of musical pitch varies across cultures

How people interpret musical notes depends on the types of music they have listened to, researchers find.

September 19, 2019

Researchers from MIT and elsewhere have developed a system that detects pain in patients by analyzing brain activity from a wearable neuroimaging device, which could help doctors diagnose and treat pain in unconscious and noncommunicative patients.

Detecting patients’ pain levels via their brain signals

System could help with diagnosing and treating noncommunicative patients.

September 12, 2019

The primary region of the human auditory cortex (outlined in white) responds differently (blue) to natural sound when background noise is present.

Hearing through the clatter

Study reveals brain regions that respond differently to the presence of background noise, suggesting the brain progressively hones in on and isolates sounds.

September 9, 2019

An MIT study suggests that mindfulness can improve mental health and academic performance in middle school students.

Two studies reveal benefits of mindfulness for middle school students

Focusing awareness on the present moment can enhance academic performance and lower stress levels.

August 26, 2019

Picower Professor Earl Miller teamed up with the lab of former postdoc Markus Siegel at the University of Tuebingen to devise a method for learning more about the different kinds of neurons that can be measured with electrodes.

New method classifies brain cells based on electrical signals

Making electrophysiology more informative, team shows how to distinguish four classes of cells by spike waveform.

August 22, 2019

Diagram illustrates the structure of the tiny bubbles, called liposomes, used to deliver drugs. The blue spheres represent lipids, a kind of fat molecule, surrounding a central cavity containing magnetic nanoparticles (black) and the drug to be delivered (red). When the nanoparticles are heated, the drug can escape into the body.

A new way to deliver drugs with pinpoint targeting

Magnetic particles allow drugs to be released at precise times and in specific areas.

August 19, 2019

MIT researchers have found a circuit of thousands of neurons in the mammalian brain (blue) traces out a one-dimensional ring during complex navigation behaviors. “In the absence of this ring,” explains Associate Professor Ila Fiete, “we would be lost in the world.”

Finding the brain’s compass

A powerful method has allowed McGovern researchers to discover how the brain represents the complex world in simple shapes.

August 12, 2019

Images from two-photon microscopy track the comings and goings of dendritic spines (key infrastructure for neural connections called synapses) in a mouse brain. Top row: A spine present on day 14 is gone by two weeks later. Bottom row: A spine emerges around day 28 and sticks around.

How brain cells pick which connections to keep

Novel study shows protein CPG15 acts as a molecular proxy of experience to mark synapses for stabilization.

August 6, 2019

SHANK3 (green) is expressed along with a neural marker (NeuN) in the mouse anterior cingulate cortex.

Neuroscientists identify brain region linked to altered social interactions in autism model

In a mouse model, restoring activity of a specific forebrain region reverses social traits associated with autism.

July 26, 2019

MIT alumnus Steven Keating has died. Keating conducted research on additive manufacturing and synthetic biology. He developed a technology that could 3-D print the foundation of a building.

Celebrating a curious mind: Steven Keating 1988-2019

Steven Keating SM'12, PhD '16 inspired millions with his research-driven approach to battling cancer and his advocacy for open patient health data.

July 22, 2019

MIT neuroscientists have identified patterns of brain activity that underlie our ability to interpret sensory input based on our expectations and past experiences.

How expectation influences perception

Neuroscientists find brain activity patterns that encode our beliefs and affect how we interpret the world around us.

July 15, 2019

Structure of the Shank3 protein, a gene with a strong association to autism spectrum disorder.

Using gene editing, neuroscientists develop a new model for autism

By introducing a gene variant associated with autism into monkeys, researchers hope to study treatment options for severe neurodevelopmental disorders.

June 12, 2019

MIT neuroscientists have identified a brain circuit that helps us block sensory distractions.

How we tune out distractions

Neuroscientists trace a brain circuit that filters unwanted sensory input.