Disorders

Picower Institute scientists investigate the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying complex disorders of the brain that affect emotion and cognition. To learn more about research in these or other areas, select them under "Research Topics" and you'll find relevant Picower people, discoveries and events.

January 2, 2023

Research Findings

‘Single-cell profiling’ is helping neuroscientists see how disease affects major brain cell types and identify common, potentially targetable pathways

December 1, 2022

Research Findings

MIT researchers report early stage clinical study results of tests with non-invasive 40Hz light and sound treatment

November 23, 2022

Recent Events

At a press conference at Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting, young Picower scientist Takato Honda presented findings of key neurons involved in the neuropsychiatric disorder and sleep homeostasis

November 16, 2022

Research Findings

In people carrying the APOE4 risk variant, a key brain cell type mismanages cholesterol needed to insulate neurons properly—another sign that APOE4 contributes to disease by disrupting lipids in the brain

October 17, 2022

Picower People

Academy recognizes Mark Bear’s influential fundamental research on how experience shapes the brain and its relevance to neurodevelopmental diseases.

October 14, 2022

Picower People

Gloria Choi’s studies of how the immune system and nervous system influence each other could yield new approaches to treating neurological disorders.

October 11, 2022

Recent Events

Cross-cutting examples of disease pathology, cellular breakdowns highlight joint conference of MIT’s Aging Brain Initiative and Alana Down Syndrome Center

October 4, 2022

Picower People

“We can’t think of the brain only as neurons,” says PhD student Mitch Murdock, who explores the cellular basis of Alzheimer’s disease

September 28, 2022

Research Findings

Study indicates that ailing neurons may instigate an inflammatory response from the brain’s microglia immune cells

September 28, 2022

Recent Events

At an exhibition marking two decades since a transformative gift from The Picower Foundation, current and alumni members described research at the forefront of neuroscience and beyond

August 29, 2022

Research Findings

Separating densely packed molecules before imaging allows them to become visible for the first time

August 19, 2022

Research Findings

New research reveals cells that span brain hemispheres to coordinate activity in visual processing centers and shows that Alzheimer’s degrades their structure and therefore their function

New technologies revealing cross-cutting breakdowns in Alzheimer’s disease

Small studies of 40Hz sensory stimulation confirm safety, suggest Alzheimer’s benefits

Research offers insights into mechanisms underlying bipolar mania, sleep homeostasis

Alzheimer’s risk gene undermines insulation of brain’s “wiring”

Bear elected member of National Academy of Medicine

Building a bridge between neuroscience and immunology

Symposium examines intersecting biology of neurodegeneration, Down syndrome

A “golden era” to study the brain

With fractured genomes, Alzheimer’s neurons call for help

Celebrating 20 years of discovery, Picower Institute looks ahead to continuing impact

Microscopy technique reveals hidden nanostructures in cells and tissues

When Alzheimer’s degrades cells that cross hemispheres, visual memory suffers