MIT Neuroscientists Unlock the Hidden Rhythms of the Mind
MIT neuroscientists propose a new framework that describes how thought arises from the coordination of neural activity driven by oscillating electric fields — a.k.a. brain…
Picower Institute for Learning And Memory News
The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a research institute dedicated to studying the neurological structures and mechanisms underlying learning and memory. Established in 2002, the institute was founded through the contributions of Barbara and Jeffry Picower. It brings together neuroscientists and interdisciplinary researchers to explore the molecular, cellular, and systems levels of memory formation and retrieval, as well as how these processes affect mental health and neurological diseases.
The research at the Picower Institute spans various areas, from understanding the fundamental biology of brain function to developing therapeutic strategies to combat brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. The institute’s innovative approach combines advanced imaging techniques, genetic and molecular tools, and computational models to investigate how memories are encoded, stored, and recalled, and how these processes can be optimized or repaired in pathological conditions. The findings from the Picower Institute contribute significantly to the broader field of neuroscience, offering insights into cognitive function and potential interventions for cognitive impairments.
Mastering the Mind: Brain Wave Beta Bursts and Their Role in Cognitive Control
Bursts of brain rhythms with “beta” frequencies control where and when neurons in the cortex process sensory information and plan responses. Studying these bursts would…
This One Microglia Mutation Could Triple Your Alzheimer’s Risk – Here’s Why
A new study finds that microglia with mutant TREM2 protein reduce brain circuit connections, promote inflammation, and contribute to Alzheimer’s pathology in other ways. A…
Key Protein Vital for Structural Integrity of Neurons – Without It Axons Break, Synapses Die
Scientists find a protein common to flies and people is essential for supporting the structure of axons that neurons project to make circuit connections. In…
MIT GENUS: 40 Hz Vibrations Reduce Alzheimer’s Disease Symptoms
Tactile stimulation improved motor performance, reduced phosphorylated tau, preserved neurons and synapses, and reduced DNA damage, a new study shows. MIT researchers have found that…
Decoding Serotonin: From Molecular to Whole-Brain Scale Effects
Scientists at The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory at MIT have provided comprehensive insight into how serotonin affects behavior in a study using the…
MIT Neuroscientists Identify Brain Cells Most Vulnerable to Alzheimer’s Disease
Neurons that form part of a memory circuit are among the first brain cells to show signs of neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease. MIT researchers identified…
Innovative Brain-Wide Mapping Reveals a Single Memory Is Stored Across Many Connected Brain Regions
Innovative brain-wide mapping study shows that “engrams,” the ensembles of neurons encoding a memory, are widely distributed, including among regions not previously realized. A new…
New Research Finds Potential Mechanism Linking Autism and Intestinal Inflammation
Infection during pregnancy with elevated levels of the cytokine IL-17a may yield microbiome alterations that prime offspring for aberrant immune responses, mouse study suggests. Though…
Brain Cells Snap Open Their DNA To Make Memories – Extent of DNA Double-Strand Breaks Is “Surprising and Concerning”
To quickly express learning and memory genes, brain cells snap both strands of DNA in many more places and cell types than previously realized, a…
What’s the Frequency, Kenneth? As Information Flows Through Brain’s Heirarchy, Higher Regions Use Higher-Frequency Waves
Study finds specific frequency bands of brain waves associated with encoding, or inhibiting encoding, of sensory information across the cortex. To produce your thoughts and…
Astrocyte Neuron Interactions May Provide Insight into Brain Disorders
Neurons are the star of the show in brain science, but MIT researchers believe they don’t work alone to process information. In new research funded…
Neuroscientists Reveal Fundamental Discovery About Cortical Neurons
Neuroscientists from the Picower Institute for Learning and Memory uncover a fundamental discovery about cortical neurons, showing that inhibitory neuron functionality is not an immutable…