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.

February 23, 2021

Research Findings

A new computational approach for analyzing complex datasets shows that as disease progresses, neurons and astrocytes lose the ability to maintain homeostasis

December 14, 2020

Research Feature

Picower scientists are making the dauntingly long but highly motivating climb between associating a gene with disease and developing potential treatments.

November 23, 2020

Research Findings

The brain uses different frequency rhythms and cortical layers to suppress expected stimulation and increase activity for what’s novel

November 20, 2020

Recent Events

Speakers describe studies to address Alzheimer’s disease, sleep apnea and to advance fundamental discoveries in cell and chromosome biology

October 6, 2020

Research Findings

Astrocytes with the APOE4 variant show deficits of key cellular function, but overexpressing PICALM overcame the defect

September 24, 2020

Recent Events

In 10 talks, leading neuroscientists shared potential advances against Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s and other diseases

August 25, 2020

New Research

MIT, MGH join forces to test whether ‘GENUS’ stimulation of 40Hz rhythms can reduce disease pathology before onset of symptoms

July 17, 2020

Research Findings

Unique survey of gene expression by cell type in humans and mice reveals several deficits affecting the most vulnerable neurons

June 30, 2020

Research Findings

Among study’s many surprises may be a new way to address Fragile X syndrome – by finding a “Protein X”

June 8, 2020

Research Findings

MIT researchers pinpoint mechanism and demonstrate drugs could help

May 26, 2020

Research Findings

Knocking out the immune cytokine IL-6 exacerbates symptoms in HD model mice, affects neural connection genes

May 22, 2020

New Research

Collaboration will develop compound to correct gene expression in brain’s immune cells

Basic cell health systems wear down in Huntington’s disease, novel analysis shows

Genes & Disease

Brain waves guide us in spotlighting surprises

Down syndrome symposium highlights clinical, fundamental progress

Alzheimer’s risk gene disrupts endocytosis, but another disease-linked gene could help

Symposium highlights numerous leads to combat neurodegeneration

New trial to test brain wave stimulation as Alzheimer’s preventative

Neural vulnerability in Huntington’s disease tied to release of mitochondrial RNA

Findings weaken notion that size equals strength for neural connections

Study finds path for addressing Alzheimer’s blood-brain barrier impairment

Research highlights immune molecule’s complex role in Huntington’s disease

Grant fuels effort to develop new Alzheimer’s drug