“Silent Engrams” Build a Case for a New Theory of Memory Formation
According to MIT neuroscientists, the existence of “silent engrams” suggests that existing models of memory formation should be revised. Learning and memory are generally thought…
Neuroscience
Harvard Study Casts Doubt on the Prevailing Model of Fixed Memory Formation
A newly published study from the Harvard Medical School casts doubt on the prevailing model of fixed memory formation, suggesting that the brain may be…
Neuroscientists Reveal the Brain Circuit Dedicated to Retrieving Memories
Neuroscientists from MIT have shown, for the first time, that recalling a memory requires a “detour” circuit that branches off from the original memory circuit….
Blocking HDAC2 Enzyme May Reverse Memory Loss Caused by Alzheimer’s Disease
Research from MIT suggests a new approach to developing treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, revealing a new way to reverse memory loss by blocking an enzyme…
FLARE Technique Provides Snapshots of Neuron Activity
Researchers from MIT and Stanford have developed a way to label neurons when they become active, essentially providing a snapshot of their activity at a…
Yale Researchers Show Sedative Combats Virus That Causes Birth Defects
New research from Yale University reveals that a common sedative may help combat common viral infections that can cause birth defects in developing babies. The…
WebKnossos: An Annotation Tool for 3D Electron Microscopic Data
Researchers have developed reconstruction software that allows them to fly through the brain tissue at unprecedented speed, gaining an about 10-fold speedup for data analysis…
MIT Neuroscientists Challenge Standard Model of Memory Consolidation
New research from MIT reveals that memories are formed simultaneously in the hippocampus and the long-term storage location in the brain’s cortex. When we visit…
Scientists Reveal Important Characteristics of the Motion Detector in the Fruit Fly Brain
New research from scientists at the Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology shows how the brain extracts this essential motion information, revealing the cells that enable…
MIT Neuroscientists Identify Brain Circuit That Drives Pleasure-Inducing Behavior
MIT neuroscientists identify the brain circuit that drives pleasure-inducing behavior in a brain region thought to be linked with fear. Scientists have long believed that…
Researchers Pinpoint Fetal Cells ‘Vulnerable’ to Later Life Stress
A team of scientists has developed a way to identify cells damaged prior to birth by drugs, radiation, or poisons such as mercury that survive…
Yale Study Shows Risk Avoidance in Older Adults is Related to Brain Anatomy, Not Age
New research from Yale University and NYU reveals that older adults are less inclined to take risks due to changes in brain anatomy rather than…
Common Mechanism May Be Responsible for the Spread of Alzheimer’s and CTE
A newly published study from UC San Francisco reveals that a shared biological mechanism may drive the progression of both Alzheimer’s disease and chronic traumatic…
Mice Can Sense Oxygen Levels in the Environment Using Specialized Neurons
New research from the Max Planck Institute shows that mice can sense oxygen levels in the environment using specialized neurons in their noses that are…
Neuroscientists Identify Two Key Groups of Neurons That Help Regulate Appetite
In a newly published study, Scientists from MIT have identify two key groups of neurons within the hypothalamus that help regulate appetite. MIT neuroscientists have…
New Research Shows Female Hippocampus Structure Changes in Sync with Hormones
New research from the Max Planck Institute shows that in women, in parallel to the rhythm of the level of estrogen across their menstrual cycle,…
Memory Changes May Occur in Women Decades Earlier Than Previously Thought
New research from the Brigham and Women’s Hospital reveals that reproductive stage, not simply chronological age, may contribute to changes in memory and brain function…
Yale Study Shows Video Games Can Have Lasting Impact on Learning
New research from Yale University shows that a computer-based brain training program helps improve student performance in reading and math — in some cases even…