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.

Down syndrome symposium highlights clinical, fundamental progress

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

October 6, 2020
Research Findings
Astrocytes with the APOE4 variant show deficits of key cellular function, but overexpressing PICALM overcame the defect
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Symposium highlights numerous leads to combat neurodegeneration

September 24, 2020
Recent Events
In 10 talks, leading neuroscientists shared potential advances against Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s and other diseases
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New trial to test brain wave stimulation as Alzheimer’s preventative

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

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
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Findings weaken notion that size equals strength for neural connections

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

June 8, 2020
Research Findings
MIT researchers pinpoint mechanism and demonstrate drugs could help
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Research highlights immune molecule’s complex role in Huntington’s disease

May 26, 2020
Research Findings
Knocking out the immune cytokine IL-6 exacerbates symptoms in HD model mice, affects neural connection genes
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Grant fuels effort to develop new Alzheimer’s drug

May 22, 2020
New Research
Collaboration will develop compound to correct gene expression in brain’s immune cells
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Scientists find a new way to reverse symptoms of Fragile X

May 20, 2020
Research Findings
Drug compound, tested in mice, could be effective in treating the leading heritable cause of intellectual disability and autism
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Study finds that aging neurons accumulate DNA damage

May 18, 2020
Research Findings
Reactivating an enzyme that promotes DNA repair can help to reverse age-related cognitive decline in mice.
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How could Covid-19 and the body’s immune response affect the brain?

April 21, 2020
Research Feature
Picower Institute researchers are embarking on experiments to learn the mechanisms by which coronavirus might affect mental health
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From: https://picower.mit.edu/research-topics/disorders