Cognition and Motivation

Picower Institute scientists study behaviors and cognitive processes including learning, memory, emotion, reasoning and consciousness. To learn more about these or other areas of inquiry, select them under Research Topics and you'll find relevant Picower people, discoveries and events.

Blocking a key enzyme may reverse memory loss

August 8, 2017
Research Findings
MIT study suggests a new approach to developing treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.

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.

Scientists identify neurons devoted to social memory

September 29, 2016
Research Findings
Cells in the hippocampus store memories of acquaintances, a new study reports.

Decoding hidden dreams

August 30, 2016
Research Findings
Neuroscientists decrypt the sleeping brain to reveal hidden memories.

The Picower Institute Fall 2026 Symposium

November 4
9:00 am - 5:00 pm

43 Vassar Street
Singleton Auditorium (46-3002, Third Floor of MIT Building 46)
Cambridge, MA 02139
United States

Event Type: Symposia
Availability: Public Event

The 2026 Picower Lecture with Richard L. Huganir, PhD, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

October 28
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

43 Vassar St
Singleton Auditorium (46-3002, Third Floor of MIT Building 46)
Cambridge, MA 02139
United States

Event Type: The Picower Lectures
Availability: Public Event

Special Seminar with Hee-Sup Shin, MD, PhD, Institute for Basic Science (IBS)

August 14
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

43 Vassar St
46-3310, Picower Seminar Room (Third Fl of MIT Building 46)
Cambridge, MA 02139
United States

Event Type: Seminars
Availability: Public Event

Neuroscience of Democracy Symposium

May 19
9:00 am - 5:00 pm

43 Vassar Street
3rd Floor, Singleton Auditorium (46-3002)
Cambridge, MA 02139
United States

Event Type: Symposia
Availability: Public Event

Colloquium on the Brain and Cognition with Larry Zipursky, PhD, UCLA

May 7
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

43 Vassar Street
Singleton Auditorium (46-3002, Third Floor of MIT Building 46)
Cambridge, MA 02139
United States

Event Type: Colloquium
Availability: Public Event

Colloquium on the Brain and Cognition with Priya Rajasethupathy, PhD, The Rockefeller University

April 30
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

43 Vassar Street
Singleton Auditorium (46-3002, Third Floor of MIT Building 46)
Cambridge, MA 02139
United States

Event Type: Colloquium
Availability: Public Event