Disorders

Picower Institute scientists investigate the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying complex disorders of the brain that affect emotion and cognition. To learn more about research in these or other areas, select them under "Research Topics" and you'll find relevant Picower people, discoveries and events.

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.

October 11, 2022

Recent Events

Cross-cutting examples of disease pathology, cellular breakdowns highlight joint conference of MIT’s Aging Brain Initiative and Alana Down Syndrome Center

October 4, 2022

Picower People

“We can’t think of the brain only as neurons,” says PhD student Mitch Murdock, who explores the cellular basis of Alzheimer’s disease

October 4, 2022

Research Feature

When fundamental research yields discoveries with medical potential, Picower Institute professors find ways to test whether they’ll help patients.

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

August 29, 2022

Research Findings

Separating densely packed molecules before imaging allows them to become visible for the first time

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 4, 2022

Research Findings

A breakdown of lipid metabolism in these brain cells promotes inflammation and interferes with neuron activity, a new study finds

July 29, 2022

Research Findings

Using organoids to model early development, researchers used an emerging microscopy technology to see that new neurons struggled to reach their developmental destination

June 23, 2022

Picower People

Just before school was out for summer, high school students from Everett and Lawrence toured life sciences research labs at MIT to get information and inspiration

May 26, 2022

New Research

Research Program Award will fund studies to find early triggers of disease progression

Building a bridge between neuroscience and immunology

Symposium examines intersecting biology of neurodegeneration, Down syndrome

A “golden era” to study the brain

To the clinic!

With fractured genomes, Alzheimer’s neurons call for help

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

Microscopy technique reveals hidden nanostructures in cells and tissues

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

How microglia contribute to Alzheimer’s disease

Advanced imaging reveals mired migration of neurons in Rett syndrome lab models

For high schoolers, summer starts with extra exposure to biomedical science

NIH award to help Heiman unearth roots of Huntington’s pathology