Two stacked electron microscope images show a synapse. Above a small, river-like gap is a dark T shape among many tiny bubble-like circles. In the bottom image the T shape is much bigger than in the upper image.
October 14, 2025
Neural activity helps circuit connections mature into optimal signal transmitters
The almond shape of the amygdala is composed of cells stained red (on the left) and green (on the right).
September 29, 2025
Many Mechanisms of Mood
A closeup on two relay racers as they hand off a blue baton from one runner to the other.
September 22, 2025
How the brain splits up vision without you even noticing
A 3D cartoon closeup of various brain cells on a pink background as they float around amid spherical clumps of amyloid proteins.
September 10, 2025
Study explains how a rare gene variant contributes to Alzheimer’s disease
On a blue background there is a white line-art drawing of a brain overlaid on a horizontal-running DNA double helix.
September 2, 2025
Alzheimer’s erodes brain cells’ control of gene expression, undermining function, cognition

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

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

At a research forefront, young scholar looks ahead to graduate school, chance to mentor others

August 15, 2022
Picower People
As he works to solve an advanced problem at the intersection of computing and neurobiology, Picower Institute post-baccalaureate scholar Eric Bueno is also thinking of how he could pay his experience forward

When a task adds more steps, this circuit helps you notice

August 5, 2022
Research Findings
By tracking feedback during tasks, the anterior cingulate cortex notices when a new step has become necessary and signals the motor cortex to adjust

How microglia contribute to Alzheimer’s disease

August 4, 2022
Research Findings
A breakdown of lipid metabolism in these brain cells promotes inflammation and interferes with neuron activity, a new study finds

Advanced imaging reveals mired migration of neurons in Rett syndrome lab models

July 29, 2022
Research Findings
Using organoids to model early development, researchers used an emerging microscopy technology to see that new neurons struggled to reach their developmental destination

Sprint then stop? Brain is wired for the math to make it happen

July 28, 2022
Research Findings
To ensure a quick halt, brain circuit architecture avoids a slow process of integration in favor of quicker differentiation, study finds

New findings reveal how neurons build and maintain their capacity to communicate

July 20, 2022
Research Findings
Nerve cells regulate and routinely refresh the collection of calcium channels that enable them to send messages across circuit connections

For high schoolers, summer starts with extra exposure to biomedical science

June 23, 2022
Picower People
Just before school was out for summer, high school students from Everett and Lawrence toured life sciences research labs at MIT to get information and inspiration

How the brain responds to surprising events

June 1, 2022
Research Findings
Unexpected outcomes trigger release of noradrenaline, which helps the brain focus its attention and learn from the event

NIH award to help Heiman unearth roots of Huntington’s pathology

May 26, 2022
New Research
Research Program Award will fund studies to find early triggers of disease progression

Brown wins share of 2022 Gruber Neuroscience Prize

May 17, 2022
Picower People
Emery N. Brown and three other scientists recognized for advancing statistical, theoretical analyses of neuroscience data

Circuit model may explain how deep brain stimulation treats Parkinson’s disease symptoms

May 16, 2022
Research Findings
Stimulation of subthalamic nucleus interrupts a cycle of runaway beta-frequency rhythms and restores ability of interneurons to regulate rhythms in the brain’s striatum, improving movement, study suggests