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.

March 15, 2023

Research Findings

Brain applies rhythms to physical patches of the cortex to selectively control just the right neurons at the right times to do the right things.

March 10, 2023

Research Findings

When astrocyte function is disrupted, neurons in the brain’s motor cortex struggle to execute and refine motion, a new study in mice shows.

December 29, 2022

Research Findings

Comparing models of working memory with real-world data, MIT researchers found that information resides not in persistent neural activity, but in the pattern of their connections

December 1, 2022

Research Findings

MIT researchers report early stage clinical study results of tests with non-invasive 40Hz light and sound treatment

November 23, 2022

Recent Events

At a press conference at Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting, young Picower scientist Takato Honda presented findings of key neurons involved in the neuropsychiatric disorder and sleep homeostasis

November 14, 2022

Recent Events

At Neuroscience 2022, Emery N. Brown relayed how statistical analysis of brain rhythms in patients and animals under anesthetics has revealed important information about how the drugs work.

November 7, 2022

Research Findings

Scientists hypothesize that, as in a hibernating turtle, the brain under sedation and deprived of oxygen may assume a protective state

October 14, 2022

Picower People

Gloria Choi’s studies of how the immune system and nervous system influence each other could yield new approaches to treating neurological disorders.

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

September 28, 2022

Research Findings

Study indicates that ailing neurons may instigate an inflammatory response from the brain’s microglia immune cells

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

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

‘Spatial Computing’ enables flexible working memory

Astrocyte cells critical for learning skilled movements

Holding information in mind may mean storing it among synapses

Small studies of 40Hz sensory stimulation confirm safety, suggest Alzheimer’s benefits

Research offers insights into mechanisms underlying bipolar mania, sleep homeostasis

Analyzing brain waves demystifies general anesthesia

Are covid ‘comas’ signs of a protective hibernation state?

Building a bridge between neuroscience and immunology

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

With fractured genomes, Alzheimer’s neurons call for help

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

How the brain focuses on what’s in mind