Decoding the complexity of Alzheimer’s disease

By analyzing epigenomic and gene expression changes that occur in Alzheimer’s disease, researchers identify cellular pathways that could become new drug targets

In hopes of discovering new targets for potential Alzheimer’s treatments, MIT researchers  have performed the broadest analysis yet of the genomic, epigenomic, and transcriptomic changes that occur in every cell type in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. Using more than 2 million cells from more than 400 postmortem brain samples, the researchers analyzed how gene expression is disrupted as Alzheimer’s progresses. They also tracked changes in cells’ epigenomic modifications, which help to determine which genes are turned on or off in a particular cell. Story continues>>

Anesthesia technology precisely controls unconsciousness in animal tests

An advanced closed-loop anesthesia delivery system that monitors brain state to tailor propofol dose and achieve exactly the desired level of unconsciousness could reduce post-op side effects

Researchers at The Picower Institute and Massachusetts General Hospital have invented a closed-loop system based on brain state monitoring that accurately controls unconsciousness by automating doses of the anesthetic drug propofol every 20 seconds. “One of the ways to improve anesthesia care is to give just the right amount of drug that’s needed,” said corresponding author Emery N. Brown, Edward Hood Taplin Professor of Medical Engineering and Computational Neuroscience at MIT and an anesthesiologist at MGH. “This opens up the opportunity to do that in a really controlled way.” Story continues>>

A multifunctional tool for cognitive neuroscience

A flexible new tool both monitors and manipulates neural activity in the brains of large animals.

A team of researchers at MIT’s McGovern and Picower Institutes has advanced the clinical potential of a thin, flexible fiber designed to simultaneously monitor and manipulate neural activity at targeted sites in the brain. The collaborative team improved upon an earlier model of the multifunctional fiber to explore dynamic changes to neural signaling as large animals engaged in a working memory task. Story continues>>

Resolving a seeming contradiction, 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.

Because figuring out what is new and what is familiar in what we see is such a critically important ability for prioritizing our attention, neuroscientists have spent decades trying to figure out how our brains are typically so good at it. Along the way they’ve made key observations that seem outright contradictory, but a new study shows that the mystifying measures are really two sides of the same coin, paving the way for a long-sought understanding of “visual recognition memory." Story continues>>

Study decodes surprising approach mice take in learning

Neurotypical humans readily optimize performance in ‘reversal learning’ games, but while mice learn the winning strategy, they refuse to commit to it, a new study shows. The research provides a mathematical way to track the rodents’ more mixed tactics

Neuroscience discoveries ranging from the nature of memory to treatments for disease have depended on reading the minds of mice, so researchers need to truly understand what the rodents’ behavior is telling them during experiments. In a new study that examines learning from reward, MIT researchers deciphered some initially mystifying mouse behavior, yielding new ideas about how mice think and a mathematical tool to aid future research. Story continues>>

Individual neurons mix multiple RNA edits of key synapse protein, fly study finds

Neurons stochastically generated up to eight different versions of a protein regulating neurotransmitter release, which could vary how they communicate with other cells

Neurons are talkers. They each communicate with fellow neurons, muscles or other cells by releasing neurotransmitter chemicals at “synapse” junctions, ultimately producing functions ranging from emotions to motions. But even neurons of the exact same type can vary in their conversational style. A new study in Cell Reports by neurobiologists at The Picower Institute highlights a molecular mechanism that might help account for the nuanced diversity of neural discourse. Story continues>>

Study shows how a single neuron’s parallel outputs can coordinate many aspects of behavior

In C. elegans worms, a single neuron named HSN uses multiple chemicals and connections to orchestrate egg-laying and locomotion over the course of several minutes

A new MIT study that focuses on a single cell in one of nature’s simplest nervous systems provides an in-depth illustration of how individual neurons can use multiple means to drive complex behaviors. This can even include transferring the neurotransmitter serotonin to a fellow neuron, which re-releases it to influence behavior minutes later. Story continues>>

New grant to study possibility of an immunotherapy for autism

A new three-year research project posits that the immune system can be harnessed to help treat behavioral symptoms of autism. A Picower Institute-based collaboration among four labs will study mechanisms that might enable peripheral immune cells to deliver a potentially therapeutic molecule to the brain. In prior reseearch with mouse models, administering the molecule directly to a particular part of the brain has enabled improvement of behavioral symptoms. Story continues>>

Dismantling silos: The case for an integrated approach to address childhood determinants of lifelong brain health

Early-life environments have a major influence on mental health throughout life. As a recent Picower Institute symposium illustrated, scientists have made substantial progress in explaining the mechanisms linking childhood adversity and mental illness. But in a new essay in Neuron, symposium organizer Ravikiran Raju, a Picower Institute research affiliate and pediatrician at Boston Children's Hospital, examines why society has made little progress in improving outcomes. "It will be necessary to better integrate the efforts of talented researchers, clinicians, community leaders and advocates, non-profit players, and government policymakers working across disparate disciplines," Raju wrote with Picower Professor Li-Huei Tsai. "Despite being inspired by similar truths, work on this multifaceted problem is often conducted in isolated silos that impede a more unified and effective effort" Raju and Tsai's essay proposes specific solutions to encourage the needed integration. Contact the MIT Libraries to request the full paper.

Mark Bear wins SfN's Julius Axelrod Prize

Picower Professor Mark Bear has earned the 2023 Julius Axelrod Prize from the Society for Neuroscience. The Prize, which he shares with a colleague at Emory University, recognizes "standout achievements in neuropharmacology, or a related area, while mentoring younger scientists." Story continues>>

Award honors Elly Nedivi’s research on cortical plasticity

The Cajal Club has named Elly Nedivi, William R. (1964) & Linda R. Young Professor of Neuroscience, the 2023 recipient of the Krieg Cortical Kudos Discoverer Award. The honor recognizes Nedivi’s ongoing work to understand molecular and cellular mechanisms that enable the brain to adapt to experience. Story continues>>

Morgan Sheng among 12 with MIT ties elected to the National Academy of Medicine for 2023

Morgan Sheng, an affiliate member of The Picower Institute faculty and a Professor of Brain and Cognitive Sciences is one of five MIT faculty and seven  MIT affiliates honored with election to National Academy of Medicine for outstanding contributions to medical research. Story continues>>

Gabi Drummond

An ensemble of four papers co-led by the Tsai Lab decoding the complexity of Alzheimer's disease earned coverage in Nature and Bioworld. It also caught the eye of the Acting Director of the National Institutes of Health, Dr. Lawrence Tabak, who featured it in his blog. Tsai's research on sensory stimulation to treat Alzheimer's was also featured in Forbes.

Research in the labs of Emery N. Brown and Earl K. Miller to develop closed-loop anesthesia delivery earned coverage in outlets including New Atlas. The work of Steve Flavell Lab to characterize the neuron HSN was covered by Labroots. And Mriganka Sur recently hosted noted Indian journalist Ravish Kumar, whose YouTube report on Sur's research has tallied 1.3 million views and counting. 

Aging Brain Initiative symposium showcases ‘cutting edge’ research across MIT

Seed projects, posters represent a wide range of labs working on technologies, therapeutic strategies, and fundamental research to advance understanding of age-related neurodegenerative disease 

Spanning computer science, mechanical engineering, biological engineering, neuroscience, and other disciplines, presenters at MIT’s Aging Brain Initiative Symposium Oct. 23 delivered a rich and diverse sampling of the university’s research to address a major global problem: neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and ALS. Story continues>>

A note about events: Event schedules and details are subject to change. Please check associated links frequently in advance of events that interest you.

Upcoming colloquia and Aging Brain Initiative seminars

• November 7: Aging Brain Seminar with Julia TCW, Boston University More>>
• November 30: Colloquium on the Brain and Cognition with Jennifer Li & Drew Robson, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics More>>
• January 30: Aging Brain Seminar with Randy Buckner, PhD, Harvard University, MGH More>>
• March 14: Colloquium on the Brain and Cognition with Jason Shepherd, PhD, University of Utah More>>