Brain and cognitive sciences

Complex brain function depends on flexibilityNeurons that can multitask greatly enhance the brain’s computational power, study finds.

An unforgettable lifeMIT neuroscientist Suzanne Corkin shares her memories of the world’s most famous amnesia patient.

Decoding ‘noisy’ language in daily lifeStudy shows how people rationally interpret linguistic input.

Exploring a breakdown in communicationStudy reveals linguistic deficits behind autistic children’s difficulties understanding other people.

Four MIT researchers attend White House announcement of brain initiativeObama invites Boyden, Brown, Desimone and Seung to launch of new federal initiative.

Four professors named 2013 MacVicar FellowsGriffith, Miller, Schulz and Teng awarded the Institute’s highest undergraduate teaching honor.

Breaking down the Parkinson’s pathwayNew study is first to analyze how affected brain cells respond during different behavioral tasks.

Boyden to share prestigious brain prizeEd Boyden honored for his work on optogenetics; will share 1 million Euro prize with five other researchers.

How the brain loses and regains consciousnessStudy reveals brain patterns produced by a general anesthesia drug; work could help doctors better monitor patients.

Exploring the brain, and the worldBrain and cognitive sciences major Joy Ekuta researches, learns and teaches her way around the globe.

MIT hosts American Junior Academy of Science delegatesThe Institution provides day’s worth of activities for more than 200 conference attendees.

The relationship between child’s play and scientific explorationLaura Schulz finds that babies learning about the world have much in common with scientists.

Possible role for Huntington’s gene discoveredMutant forms of the gene disrupt chemical modifications that control access to genes necessary for normal brain cell function.

Study finds a new culprit for epileptic seizuresDiscovery that some seizures arise in glial cells could offer new targets for epilepsy treatment.

Gloria Choi to join McGovern InstituteChoi will serve as McGovern Investigator and as assistant professor of brain and cognitive sciences.

Editing the genome with high precisionNew method allows scientists to insert multiple genes in specific locations, delete defective genes.

Simons Center for the Social Brain offering seed grants, postdoc fellowshipsDeadline for applications is February 28.

New insights into how brain synapses transmit informationTwo essential proteins regulate the molecular machinery that controls neuronal communication and the release of signals between neurons.

In search of better antidepressantsNew study suggests targeting dopamine-releasing neurons could lead to more effective therapies.

Precisely engineering 3-D brain tissuesNew design technique could enable personalized medicine, studies of brain wiring.

Scientists image brain structures that deteriorate in Parkinson’sNew MRI technique could help doctors track how patients respond to treatment.

Brain waves encode rules for behaviorFluctuations in electrical activity may also allow the brain to form thoughts and memories.

Inside the unconscious brainNew study reveals brain-wave patterns that mark loss of consciousness during anesthesia.

MIT sailing receives trio of ICSA All-Academic Team honors

How the brain controls our habitsMIT neuroscientists identify a brain region that can switch between new and old habits.

Calcium reveals connections between neuronsNew way to image brain-cell activity could shed light on autism and other psychiatric disorders.