Neuroscience

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.

June 12, 2019

MIT neuroscientists have found that neural extensions called dendrites, which act as antennae to help neurons listen to their neighbors, play a more active role in neural computation than previously thought.

Neurons’ “antennae” are unexpectedly active in neural computation

Tiny, branching extensions called dendrites may be more than just passive information-carriers, study finds.

June 6, 2019

Lead author Joseph DelPreto demonstrates the system's ability to mirror his movements by monitoring muscle activity.

This robot helps you lift objects — by looking at your biceps

CSAIL system can mirror a user's motions and follow nonverbal commands by monitoring arm muscles.

May 22, 2019

MIT neuroscientists are exploring how the brain handles hierarchical decision-making processes that involve breaking down a larger decision into smaller ones that each carry a degree of uncertainty.

How we make complex decisions

Neuroscientists identify a brain circuit that helps break decisions down into smaller pieces.

May 16, 2019

MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology

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