A cross section of a mouse brain glows with a magenta hue. Many individual speckles across the whole brain are lit up brighter.
January 14, 2026
How a unique class of neurons may set the table for brain development
A realistic rendering shows a wide field of neurons densely bunched together
December 29, 2025
Biology-based brain model matches animals in learning, enables new discovery
On a black background there is a profile of a head with a light colored line-art brain in the middle. The brain has bright spots in various areas. From front and back, waves made of vertical lines emanate from the head.
December 22, 2025
To flexibly organize thought, the brain makes use of space
A view of the upper right quadrant of a cross section of a mouse brain. An arc of tissue extends from the top left to the bottom right. Along the arc there are stripes of neurons glowing in eithe red or green in distinct layers of the tissue
November 25, 2025
Prefrontal cortex reaches back into the brain to shape how other regions function
A 4 by 2 array of panels shows neurons in a brain section. Green "Myc" labeling indicates the presence of a receptor. Magenta "fos" labeling indicates neural activity. There is more magenta on the bottom row, which is labeled "IL-1B"
November 25, 2025
Too sick to socialize: How the brain and immune system promote staying in bed

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

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

With fractured genomes, Alzheimer’s neurons call for help

September 28, 2022
Research Findings
Study indicates that ailing neurons may instigate an inflammatory response from the brain’s microglia immune cells

Simple animal model reveals how environment and state are integrated to control behavior

September 6, 2022
Research Findings
A new study shows how stimuli and states such as smells, stressors and satiety converge in an olfactory neuron to guide food-seeking behavior

How the brain focuses on what’s in mind

September 5, 2022
Research Findings
When holding information in mind, neural activity is more focused when and where there are bursts of gamma frequency rhythms

Microscopy technique reveals hidden nanostructures in cells and tissues

August 29, 2022
Research Findings
Separating densely packed molecules before imaging allows them to become visible for the first time

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