Neuroscience

Reversing Alzheimer’s gene ‘blockade’ can restore memory, other cognitive functionsNeuroscientists show that HDAC2 enzyme could be a good target for new drugs.

Neuroscientists link brain-wave pattern to energy consumptionNew model of neuro-electric activity could help scientists better understand quiescent brain states such as coma.

My connectome, myselfNeuroscientist Sebastian Seung is on a quest to map brain connections that reveal how our memories and personalities take root.

James DiCarlo to head Department of Brain and Cognitive SciencesNew department head succeeds Mriganka Sur, who will lead the new Simons Center for the Social Brain at MIT.

MIT faculty speak at the World Economic Forum in DavosTalks explore the mind/machine interface and the science of predicting the economy, among other topics.

Seeking the neurological roots of conflictMIT neuroscientists explore how longstanding conflict influences empathy for others.

The quantifierBy helping biologists turn their hunches into rigorous mathematical models, Polina Golland builds software that interprets medical images.

Patterns of connections reveal brain functionsNeuroscientists identify face-recognition areas based on what parts of the brain they link to.

$26.5 million Simons gift to catalyze autism research at MITCreates the Simons Center for the Social Brain

A new piece to the autism puzzleNeuroscientists find that two rare autism-related disorders are caused by opposing malfunctions in the brain.

Unraveling how a mutation can lead to psychiatric illnessMIT neuroscientists show that a gene linked with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder impairs early brain development.

Mimicking the brain, in siliconNew computer chip models how neurons communicate with each other at synapses.

Connecting neurons to fix the brainNew technology helps scientists discover drugs to strengthen synapses.

Brain rhythms are key to learningNew study from MIT neuroscientists finds that brain waves shift frequency as a new task becomes routine.

Dyslexia independent of IQBrain-imaging study suggests that reading difficulties are the same regardless of overall intelligence — and that more children could benefit from support in school.

How to reverse general anesthesiaNeuroscientists find that Ritalin could help bring surgical patients out of surgery much more quickly, with less grogginess.

Emery N. Brown receives the 2011 Jerome Sacks Award for Cross-Disciplinary Research

When things go wrong, who’s to blame?New study shows that infants are surprisingly adept at figuring out whether they made a mistake or if something is wrong in the world.

When four is not four, but rather two plus twoMIT neuroscientists redefine the limits of visual working memory.

Moving inventions to the marketplaceMIT/Harvard symposium seeks commercial opportunities for emerging technologies.

What makes an image memorable?Hint: We tend to remember pictures of people much better than wide open spaces.

Of minds and machinesFinal installment of MIT’s 150th anniversary symposia explores intelligence — both human and artificial.

The benefits of meditationMIT and Harvard neuroscientists explain why the practice helps tune out distractions and relieve pain.

Jerome Lettvin, MIT professor emeritus, dies at 91Dynamic cognitive scientist made key contributions to neurophysiology and vision science.

Seeing the lightOptogenetic technology restores visual behavior in mice, holds promise for treating human blindness.

McGovern Institute honors pioneer in understanding brain hormones

Re-creating autism, in miceMice with a particular gene mutation avoid interacting with other mice and show compulsive, repetitive behavior.