Picower Institute for Learning and Memory

Picower Institute researchers identify brain cell aberration tied to autism

Inhibitory and excitatory synapse dynamics in the brain

Researchers show that memories reside in specific brain cellsSimply activating a tiny number of neurons can conjure an entire memory.

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

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.

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.

How the brain assigns objects to categoriesNew findings may explain why children with autism tend to fixate on details instead of seeing the big picture.

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

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

6 from MIT named AAAS fellows

Protein linked to aging may boost memory and learning abilityDiscovery could lead to new drugs to fight Alzheimer’s and other neurological diseases.

Li-Huei Tsai receives Glenn Foundation AwardPicower Institute director awarded grant for research in biological mechanisms of aging

Multitasking is no problem for these brain cellsScientists find that neurons in the brain’s planning center can handle more than one kind of job.

Earl Miller wins MERIT award from National Institute of Mental HealthNational Institute of Mental Health

HHMI lists Tsai team’s advance among 10 biggest stories of 2009Howard Hughes Medical Institute honors discovery of gene protein that could lead to safer drug treatments for Alzheimer’s and other diseases.

Back to (brain) basicsMIT neuroscientists are using their knowledge of the brain to generate promising treatments for autism, mental retardation and Alzheimer’s disease.

In Profile: Matt WilsonBy listening in on rat brains, the Picower Institute neuroscientist tries to understand the role of sleep in learning and memory

Rats' mental 'instant replay' drives next movesMIT study illuminates thoughts and memories

Animals have complex dreams, MIT researcher provesStudy may advance understanding of human learning and memory.