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.

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

Research Findings

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

With fractured genomes, Alzheimer’s neurons call for help

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

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

How the brain focuses on what’s in mind

When Alzheimer’s degrades cells that cross hemispheres, visual memory suffers

At a research forefront, young scholar looks ahead to graduate school, chance to mentor others

When a task adds more steps, this circuit helps you notice