Study across multiple brain regions discerns Alzheimer’s vulnerability and resilience factors

Genomics and lab studies reveal numerous findings, including a key role for Reelin amid neuronal vulnerability, and for choline and antioxidants in sustaining cognition.

David Orenstein | The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory • mit
July 24, 2024 ~11 min

A prosthesis driven by the nervous system helps people with amputation walk naturally

A new surgical procedure gives people more neural feedback from their residual limb. With it, seven patients walked more naturally and navigated obstacles.

Anne Trafton | MIT News • mit
July 1, 2024 ~9 min


Technologies enable 3D imaging of whole human brain hemispheres at subcellular resolution

Three innovations by an MIT-based team enable high-resolution, high-throughput imaging of human brain tissue at a full range of scales, and mapping connectivity of neurons at single-cell resolution.

David Orenstein | The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory • mit
June 17, 2024 ~12 min

With programmable pixels, novel sensor improves imaging of neural activity

New camera chip design allows for optimizing each pixel’s timing to maximize signal-to-noise ratio when tracking real-time visual indicator of neural voltage.

David Orenstein | The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory • mit
June 13, 2024 ~8 min

Just thinking about a location activates mental maps in the brain

MIT neuroscientists have found that the brain uses the same cognitive representations whether navigating through space physically or mentally.

Anne Trafton | MIT News • mit
June 12, 2024 ~7 min

Ultrasound offers a new way to perform deep brain stimulation

MIT engineers’ new implantable device could become an alternative to the electrodes now used to treat Parkinson’s and other diseases.

Anne Trafton | MIT News • mit
June 4, 2024 ~7 min

Understanding why autism symptoms sometimes improve amid fever

With support from The Marcus Foundation, an MIT neuroscientist and a Harvard Medical School immunologist will study the “fever effect” in an effort to devise therapies that mimic its beneficial effects.

David Orenstein | The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory • mit
May 23, 2024 ~7 min

MIT scientists learn how to control muscles with light

A new study suggests optogenetics can drive muscle contraction with greater control and less fatigue than electrical stimulation.

Anne Trafton | MIT News • mit
May 22, 2024 ~7 min


Epigenomic analysis sheds light on risk factors for ALS

In a study of cells from nearly 400 ALS patients, researchers identified genomic regions with chemical modifications linked to disease progression.

Anne Trafton | MIT News • mit
May 2, 2024 ~9 min

To understand cognition — and its dysfunction — neuroscientists must learn its rhythms

A new framework describes how thought arises from the coordination of neural activity driven by oscillating electric fields — a.k.a. brain “waves” or “rhythms.”

David Orenstein | The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory • mit
April 30, 2024 ~7 min

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