A black and white image shows sections of neural dendrites which appear as long thin lines with many small bumps along them.
February 20, 2025
Study suggests new molecular strategy for treating fragile X syndrome
White blocks are arranged in a circle on a blue background. Black arrows on the blocks follow the direction of the circle (clockwise). At three points along the circle, yellow blocks intercede with arrows pointing outward from the circle of white blocks.
February 18, 2025
Even after learning the right idea, humans and animals still seem to test other approaches, study suggests
A saggital cross section of a mouse brain is richly stained in three distinct colors in three distinct areas: yellow in the very front and about halfway toward the back; green in a large area toward the front and cyan across wide areas, especially the cerebellum in the back
January 24, 2025
MIT method enables ultrafast protein labeling of tens of millions of densely packed cells in organ-scale tissues
Emery N. Brown stands in front of a wall. Superimposed on the image next to him is a picture of the front of the National Medal of Science, which depicts a man kneeling and drawing an abstract character in the ground next to him as he contemplates an object.
January 3, 2025
Emery N. Brown, innovative neuroscientist, statistician and anesthesiologist earns National Medal of Science
Two colorful arrays of dots are side by side. The left array, labeled session 1, is in a vaguely circular shape. The right array, labeled session 5, is in a structure similar to a sideways T, which is the actual shape of the maze that mice ran through.
December 10, 2024
Study suggests how the brain, with sleep, learns meaningful maps of spaces

Study suggests new molecular strategy for treating fragile X syndrome

February 20, 2025
Research Findings
Enhancing activity of a specific component of ‘NMDA’ receptors normalized protein synthesis, neural activity and seizure susceptibility in hippocampus of fragile X lab mice

Even after learning the right idea, humans and animals still seem to test other approaches, study suggests

February 18, 2025
Research Findings
New research adds evidence that learning a successful strategy for approaching a task doesn’t prevent further exploration, even if it reduces performance.

MIT method enables ultrafast protein labeling of tens of millions of densely packed cells in organ-scale tissues

January 24, 2025
Research Findings
Tissue processing advance can label proteins at the level of individual cells across whole, intact rodent brains and other large samples just as fast and uniformly as in dissociated single cells.

Emery N. Brown, innovative neuroscientist, statistician and anesthesiologist earns National Medal of Science

January 3, 2025
Picower People
President Biden bestowed the nation’s highest scientific honor on Brown, fellow winners, at a White House ceremony.

From Molecules to Memory

December 20, 2024
Research Feature
On a biological foundation of ions and proteins, the brain forms, stores, and retrieves memories to inform intelligent behavior

Study suggests how the brain, with sleep, learns meaningful maps of spaces

December 10, 2024
Research Findings
Place cells are well known to encode individual locations, but new experiments and analysis indicate that stitching together a “cognitive map” of a whole environment requires a broader ensemble of cells, aided by sleep, to build a richer network over seve

New autism research projects represent a broad range of approaches to achieving a shared goal

November 21, 2024
Recent Events
At a symposium of the Simons Center for the Social Brain, six speakers described a diversity of recently launched studies aimed at improving understanding of the autistic brain.

Open technology platform enables new versatility for neuroscience research with more naturalistic behavior

November 13, 2024
Research Findings
System developed by MIT and Open Ephys team provides a fast, light, standardized means for combining multiple instruments with minimal hindrance of lab mouse mobility.

The way sensory prediction changes under anesthesia tells us how conscious cognition works

October 7, 2024
Research Findings
New study adds evidence that consciousness requires communication between sensory and cognitive regions of the brain’s cortex

Learning the secrets of neural longevity could benefit the aging brain and body alike, research project posits

October 3, 2024
New Research
With a new Glenn Foundation Discovery Award, the Heiman Lab will study the genetic and molecular basis for the exceptional longevity of neurons in hopes of using that insight to help sustain aging cells.

Mixing joy and resolve, event celebrates women in science and addresses persistent inequalities

October 2, 2024
Picower Events
The Kuggie Vallee Distinguished Lectures and Workshops presented inspiring examples of success, even as the event evoked frank discussions of the barriers that still hinder many women scientists.

Research quantifying “nociception” could help improve management of surgical pain

September 23, 2024
Research Findings
New statistical models based on rigorous physiological data from more than 100 surgeries provide objective, accurate measures of “nociception,” the body’s subconscious perception of pain.