Brain and cognitive sciences

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.

Brain’s language center has multiple rolesNeuroscientists find Broca’s area is really two subunits, each with its own function.

Explaining the origins of word order using information theoryResearchers believe that information theory — the discipline that gave us digital communication — can explain differences between human languages.

Mehrdad Jazayeri to join BCS, McGovern Institute faculty

McGovern neuroscientist Constantine-Paton wins lifetime achievement award

How attention helps you rememberNew study finds long-overlooked cells help the brain respond to visual stimuli.

A brain beyond bordersMIT senior Victoria Okuneye traveled to Mexico and Jamaica to pursue her passions for neuroscience and global service.

Four from MIT win NIH grantsBrown, Gore, Ploegh and Zhang receive grants for innovative biomedical research.

Predicting how patients respond to therapyBrain scans could help doctors choose treatments for people with social anxiety disorder.

MIT neuroscientists achieve 'dream engineering' in rats

Stroke disrupts how brain controls muscle synergiesDistinctive patterns could allow doctors to develop better rehab programs for stroke patients.