How one brain circuit encodes memories of both places and events

A new computational model explains how neurons linked to spatial navigation can also help store episodic memories.

Anne Trafton | MIT News • mit
Jan. 15, 2025 ~9 min

For healthy hearing, timing matters

Machine-learning models let neuroscientists study the impact of auditory processing on real-world hearing.

Jennifer Michalowski | McGovern Institute for Brain Research • mit
Jan. 14, 2025 ~7 min


Study suggests how the brain, with sleep, learns meaningful maps of spaces

Place cells are known to encode individual locations, but research finds stitching together a “cognitive map” of a whole environment requires a broader ensemble of cells, aided by sleep, over several days.

David Orenstein | The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory • mit
Jan. 10, 2025 ~8 min

Common sleeping pill may pave way for disorders like Alzheimer’s

A new study holds a warning for people who use a commonly prescribed sleep aid. It may set the stage for disorders like Alzheimer's.

Mark Michaud-U. Rochester • futurity
Jan. 9, 2025 ~6 min

Teaching AI to communicate sounds like humans do

Inspired by the mechanics of the human vocal tract, a new AI model can produce and understand vocal imitations of everyday sounds. The method could help build new sonic interfaces for entertainment and education.

Alex Shipps | MIT CSAIL • mit
Jan. 9, 2025 ~8 min

Personal interests can influence how children’s brains respond to language

McGovern Institute neuroscientists use children’s interests to probe language in the brain.

Rubina Veerakone | McGovern Institute for Brain Research • mit
Jan. 7, 2025 ~6 min

Brain monitoring may be the future of work – how it’s used could improve employee performance or worsen discrimination

Neurotechnology raises many high-stakes ethical questions. Setting ground rules could help protect workers and ensure that tasks are adapted to the person, rather than the other way around.

Paul Brandt-Rauf, Professor and Dean of Biomedical Engineering, Drexel University • conversation
Jan. 7, 2025 ~7 min

Sex differences in brain structure present at birth

Sex differences in brain structure are present from birth, research from the Autism Research Centre at the University of Cambridge has shown.

Cambridge University News • cambridge
Jan. 7, 2025 ~5 min


How alcohol use disrupts the brain’s ability to adapt

New findings suggest possible strategies to address cognitive impairments linked to alcohol use disorder, researchers say.

Texas A&M University • futurity
Jan. 3, 2025 ~5 min

Electronic tattoo decodes brainwaves

New e-tattoos can serve as the sensors for electroencephalography (EEG), a medical test that measures the brain's electrical activity.

UT Austin • futurity
Jan. 3, 2025 ~6 min

/

188