How a single neuron’s parallel outputs can coordinate many aspects of behavior

Study finds that in worms, the HSN neuron uses multiple chemicals and connections to orchestrate egg-laying and locomotion over the course of several minutes.

David Orenstein | The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory • mit
Oct. 3, 2023 ~7 min

Decoding the complexity of Alzheimer’s disease

By analyzing epigenomic and gene expression changes that occur in Alzheimer’s disease, researchers identify cellular pathways that could become new drug targets.

Anne Trafton | MIT News • mit
Sept. 28, 2023 ~12 min


Individual neurons mix multiple RNA edits of key synapse protein, study finds

Neurons stochastically generated up to eight different versions of a protein-regulating neurotransmitter release, which could vary how they communicate with other cells.

David Orenstein | The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory • mit
Sept. 25, 2023 ~7 min

Study decodes surprising approach mice take in learning

In a simple game that humans typically ace, mice learn the winning strategy, too, but refuse to commit to it, new research shows.

David Orenstein | The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory • mit
Sept. 15, 2023 ~8 min

Molecule reduces inflammation in Alzheimer’s models

A potential new Alzheimer’s drug represses the harmful inflammatory response of the brain’s immune cells, reducing disease pathology, preserving neurons, and improving cognition in preclinical tests.

David Orenstein | The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory • mit
Sept. 5, 2023 ~8 min

Study connects neural gene expression differences to functional distinctions

Researchers compared a pair of superficially similar motor neurons in fruit flies to examine how their differing use of the same genome produced distinctions in form and function.

David Orenstein | The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory • mit
Aug. 25, 2023 ~8 min

Cracking the code that relates brain and behavior in a simple animal

MIT researchers model and create an atlas for how neurons of the worm C. elegans encode its behaviors, make findings available on their “WormWideWeb.”

David Orenstein | The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory • mit
Aug. 23, 2023 ~9 min

Brain networks encoding memory come together via electric fields, study finds

Electric fields shared among neurons via “ephaptic coupling” provide the coordination necessary to assemble the engrams that represent remembered information.

David Orenstein | The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory • mit
July 24, 2023 ~8 min


Brady Weissbourd named Klingenstein-Simons Fellow

Three-year fellowship will support Weissbourd’s research on how the C. hemisphaerica jellyfish survives and thrives by constantly making new neurons.

David Orenstein | The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory • mit
July 20, 2023 ~3 min

Study finds tracking brain waves could reduce post-op complications

Distinctive EEG patterns indicate when a patient’s state of unconsciousness under general anesthesia is more profound than necessary.

Anne Trafton | MIT News Office • mit
July 17, 2023 ~7 min

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