Mapping the brain pathways of visual memorability

For the first time, researchers use a combination of MEG and fMRI to map the spatio-temporal human brain dynamics of a visual image being recognized.

Rachel Gordon | MIT CSAIL • mit
April 23, 2024 ~6 min

Image recognition accuracy: An unseen challenge confounding today’s AI

“Minimum viewing time” benchmark gauges image recognition complexity for AI systems by measuring the time needed for accurate human identification.

Rachel Gordon | MIT CSAIL • mit
Dec. 15, 2023 ~11 min


Elly Nedivi receives 2023 Kreig Cortical Kudos Discoverer Award

The neuroscientist is recognized for her ongoing work to understand molecular and cellular mechanisms that enable the brain to adapt to experience.

David Orenstein | The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory • mit
Nov. 29, 2023 ~3 min

Study advances understanding of visual recognition memory

Scientists have invested decades in piecing together how our vision is so good at recognizing what’s familiar. A new study overcomes an apparent discrepancy in data to reveal a new insight into how it works.

David Orenstein | The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory • mit
Oct. 11, 2023 ~7 min

Scientists discover anatomical changes in the brains of the newly sighted

Following cataract removal, some of the brain’s visual pathways seem to be more malleable than previously thought.

Anne Trafton | MIT News Office • mit
May 1, 2023 ~8 min

Sparse, small, but diverse neural connections help make perception reliable, efficient

First detailed mapping and modeling of thalamus inputs onto visual cortex neurons show brain leverages “wisdom of the crowd” to process sensory information.

David Orenstein | Picower Institute for Learning and Memory • mit
Feb. 2, 2023 ~9 min

Study: Zebrafish are smarter than we thought

Researchers have discovered that the brains of these simple fish can create three-dimensional maps of their surroundings.

Anne Trafton | MIT News Office • mit
Nov. 18, 2022 ~8 min

After a lifetime of blindness, newly sighted can immediately identify human locomotion

Study on blind patients who recovered their sight suggests rethinking the belief that babies learn to recognize human movement through visual exposure.

Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences • mit
Oct. 18, 2022 ~6 min


When Alzheimer’s degrades cells that cross hemispheres, visual memory suffers

Research reveals cells that span brain hemispheres to coordinate activity in visual processing centers, shows Alzheimer’s degrades their structure and function.

David Orenstein | Picower Institute for Learning and Memory • mit
Aug. 24, 2022 ~7 min

Sprint then stop? The brain is wired for the math to make it happen

To ensure a quick halt, brain circuit architecture avoids a slow process of integration in favor of quicker differentiation, study finds.

David Orenstein | Picower Institute for Learning and Memory • mit
July 28, 2022 ~6 min

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