An illustration depicts a head in profile with a speak bubble containing a check symbol next to an x symbol. The background is pink
September 9, 2026
How the brain keeps its options straight at decision time
September 1, 2026
Atlas of the brain’s striatum could guide researchers to new drug treatments
Three brain-shaped speak bubbles are black but full of white concentric lines that appear as ripples or waves in complex patterns
August 19, 2026
Cognition and consciousness arise from analog computations, says new theory
a cartoon of a brain with cogs and gears
August 17, 2026
Flexible brain circuits can switch between different tasks
Over a tangle of dark blue neurons, bright orange spots appear along the lengths of some of the axons, highlighting their paths through the tangle
August 13, 2026
Brain circuit keeps tabs on what just happened to aid judgement of what’s happening now

Genetic screen offers new drug targets for Huntington’s disease

January 30, 2020
Research findings
Neuroscientists identify genes that modulate the disease’s toxic effects

With these neurons, extinguishing fear is its own reward

January 15, 2020
Research findings
The same neurons responsible for encoding reward also form new memories to suppress fearful ones

Engrams emerging as the basic unit of memory

January 2, 2020
Research Findings
Review in Science traces progress in studying the neural substrate for storing memories

Study may explain how infections reduce autism symptoms

December 18, 2019
Research Findings
An immune molecule sometimes produced during infection can influence the social behavior of mice.

Human Models of Disease

December 16, 2019
News Feature
Stem cell, genetic technologies enable sophisticated studies of human brain cells and brain "organoids"

Study probing visual memory, amblyopia unveils many-layered mystery

December 13, 2019
Research Findings
Plasticity underlying amblyopia found in visual cortex layer 4

Scientists eager to explain brain rhythm boost’s broad impact in Alzheimer’s models

December 9, 2019
Research findings
Paper lays out new areas of investigation

Tsai elected fellow of National Academy of Inventors

December 3, 2019
Picower People
Honor notes innovations in research addressing Alzheimer’s disease

Down syndrome symposium highlights potential progress at many scales

November 14, 2019
Events
The inaugural symposium of the Alana Down Syndrome Center

Picower scientists shine in Chicago at 'SfN'

October 28, 2019
News Feature
About 50 institute researchers presented talks and posters over 5 days

In Alzheimer’s research, MIT scientists reveal brain rhythm role

October 22, 2019
At 'SFN'
At Society for Neuroscience meeting, Li-Huei Tsai presents latest findings on sensory stimulation of gamma rhythm

Fundamental questions find advanced answers, approaches at Fall Symposium

October 18, 2019
Events
Experts from around the world discuss "Neural Mechanisms of Memory and Cognition"