Li-Huei Tsai stands at a podium embossed with an MIT logo. In the foreground is an attentive audience. In the background is the Picower Institute logo
March 11, 2026
After 16+ years leading Picower Institute, Li-Huei Tsai will sharpen focus on research, teaching
Two panels show blue cells surrounded by thin green outlines. The outlines are much more consistent and prevalent in the image on the left, which is labeled as the wild type, than on the right which is labeled Rett syndrome.
February 25, 2026
In Rett syndrome, leaky brain blood vessels traced to microRNA
a series of small blocky spots of color appear in the aggregate to make up the shape of a worm as it stretches horizonally across a black background
February 24, 2026
As worms and jellyfish wriggle, new AI tools track their neurons
Linlin Fan stands in her lab with microscope equipment in the foreground.
February 17, 2026
Sloan Fellowship will help Fan advance technology to study how brain circuits change amid learning
Wearing white lab coats in the lab, Mark Bear stands behind Sara Kornfeld-Sylla as she sits in a stool at a lab bench
February 11, 2026
Fragile X study uncovers brainwave biomarker bridging humans and mice

Brain circuit enables split-second decisions when cues conflict

April 24, 2017
Research Findings
New findings shed light on how we quickly assess risks and rewards before acting.

Eleven from MIT elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences for 2017

April 12, 2017
Awards
Prestigious honor society announces 228 new members this year.

Neuroscientists identify brain circuit necessary for memory formation

April 6, 2017
Research Findings
New findings challenge standard model of memory consolidation.

Scientists identify brain circuit that drives pleasure-inducing behavior

March 22, 2017
Research Findings
Surprisingly, the neurons are located in a brain region thought to be linked with fear.

Unique visual stimulation may be new treatment for Alzheimer’s

December 7, 2016
Research Findings
Noninvasive technique reduces beta amyloid plaques in mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease.

Li-Huei Tsai receives Society for Neuroscience Mika Salpeter Lifetime Achievement Award

December 2, 2016
Awards
Picower Institute director awarded for her research on brain development, neurological disorders, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Four MIT faculty elected 2016 AAAS Fellows

November 21, 2016
Awards
Green, Ketterle, Nedivi, and Shrobe are among those recognized for their efforts toward advancing science.

Creating new treatments for amblyopia

November 21, 2016
Research Findings
Study finds decreasing activity in the eye can help overcome visual impairment.

Kay Tye Receives the Society for Neuroscience Young Investigator Award

November 15, 2016
Awards
Picower Neuroscientist recognized for her work on emotional circuitry of the brain.

Creating therapies for Alzheimer's disease by targeting neural circuits

November 9, 2016
Research Findings
Study finds a complex series of molecular, cellular, circuit and network-level changes contribute to the progression of Alzheimer's.

Earl Miller receives Goldman-Rakic Prize for Outstanding Achievement in Cognitive Neuroscience

November 1, 2016
Awards
Neuroscientist recognized for his role in modeling brain circuitry as it gives rise to cognition.

A delicate balance between positive and negative emotion

October 17, 2016
Research Findings
Neuroscientists identify two neuron populations that encode happy or fearful memories.