On a black background three panels show a branch of a neuron where there is a thick main part and a thinner protrusion lined with little bulbs. The leftmost panel shows a gray main part with a somewhat yellow protrusion. The middle shows a grey thin part with a very yellow protrusion. In the right panel everything is very yellow.
September 18, 2023
Individual neurons mix multiple RNA edits of key synapse protein, fly study finds
A cartoon. The view is from behind the head of a mouse who looks at a giant question mark floating in the sky on the left and a giant light bulb floating in the sky on the right.
September 14, 2023
Study decodes surprising approach mice take in learning
A closeup on the right half of a sleeping woman's face is flanked on her right (our left) with white brainwaves extending across the image over a grey background
September 14, 2023
The Sleeping Brain
Two square panels side by side show a stripe of many blue dots near the top. The panel on the left has a few yellow stripes extending down from the blue dots. The panel on the right has many more of the yellow vertical lines.
August 29, 2023
Molecule reduces inflammation in Alzheimer’s models
Over a black background two neural axons extend through the frame like lumpy check marks. One is light green with noticable darker green splotches within its lumps. The other is magenta and has no dark green splotches.
August 23, 2023
Study connects neural gene expression differences to functional distinctions

Individual neurons mix multiple RNA edits of key synapse protein, fly study finds

September 18, 2023
Research Findings
Neurons stochastically generated up to eight different versions of a protein regulating neurotransmitter release, which could vary how they communicate with other cells

The Sleeping Brain

September 14, 2023
Neural activity during sleep has a signature structure that the brain uses to make profound improvements in our thinking and wellness

Study decodes surprising approach mice take in learning

September 14, 2023
Research Findings
Neurotypical humans readily optimize performance in ‘reversal learning’ games, but while mice learn the winning strategy, they refuse to commit to it, a new study shows. The research provides a mathematical way to track the rodents’ more mixed tactics

Molecule reduces inflammation in Alzheimer’s models

August 29, 2023
Research Findings
A potential new Alzheimer’s drug represses the harmful inflammatory response of the brain’s immune cells, reducing disease pathology, preserving neurons and improving cognition in preclinical tests

Study connects neural gene expression differences to functional distinctions

August 23, 2023
Research Findings
Researchers compared a pair of superficially similar motor neurons in fruit flies to examine how their differing use of the same genome produced distinctions in form and function

Cracking the code that relates brain and behavior in a simple animal

August 21, 2023
Research Findings
MIT researchers model and map how neurons across the tiny brain of a C. elegans worm encode its behaviors, revealing many new insights about the robustness and flexibility of its nervous system

Summer research opportunity can be a springboard to advanced studies

August 3, 2023
Picower People
The paths three graduate students forged to the same Picower Institute lab illustrate the value of participating in the MIT Summer Research Program in Biology and Neuroscience.

Study finds tracking brain waves could reduce post-op complications

July 17, 2023
Research Findings
Distinctive EEG patterns indicate when a patient’s state of unconsciousness under general anesthesia is more profound than necessary.

Brain networks encoding memory come together via electric fields, study finds

July 10, 2023
Research Findings
New research provides evidence that electric fields shared among neurons via “ephaptic coupling” provide the coordination necessary to assemble the multi-region neural ensembles (“engrams”) that represent remembered information.

New award funds study of a remarkable example of neural regeneration

July 1, 2023
New Research
A three-year fellowship will support Brady Weissbourd’s research on how the C. hemisphaerica jellyfish survives and thrives by constantly making new neurons.

Petite & Profound

June 22, 2023
Research Feature
Why studying simple organisms—none larger than the palm of your hand—is so integral to understanding nervous system health, disease and evolution.

Picower postdoc earns Burroughs Wellcome Fund award

June 13, 2023
Picower People
‘Career Award at the Scientific Interface’ recognizes Rebecca Pinals’ research to create a nanosensor-integrated brain-on-a-chip model of Alzheimer’s disease.