A “door” into the mitochondrial membrane
Study finds the protein MTCH2 is responsible for shuttling various other proteins into the membrane of mitochondria. The finding could have implications for cancer treatments and MTCH2-linked conditions.
Celebrating 20 years of discovery, Picower Institute looks ahead to continuing impact
At an exhibition marking two decades since a transformative gift from the Picower Foundation, current and alumni members described research at the forefront of neuroscience and beyond.
With fractured genomes, Alzheimer’s neurons call for help
Study indicates ailing neurons may instigate an inflammatory response from the brain’s microglia immune cells.
Neurodegenerative disease can progress in newly identified patterns
A machine-learning method finds patterns of health decline in ALS, informing future clinical trial designs and mechanism discovery. The technique also extends to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
A “golden era” to study the brain
“We can’t think of the brain only as neurons,” says PhD student Mitch Murdock, who explores the cellular basis of Alzheimer’s disease.
When Alzheimer’s degrades cells that cross hemispheres, visual memory suffers
Research reveals cells that span brain hemispheres to coordinate activity in visual processing centers, shows Alzheimer’s degrades their structure and function.
How microglia contribute to Alzheimer’s disease
A breakdown of lipid metabolism in these brain cells promotes inflammation and interferes with neuron activity, a new study finds.
Chemists reveal how tau proteins form tangles
Two types of tau proteins mix together in a nearly random way to generate the tangles seen in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients.
Aging Brain Initiative awards fund five new ideas to study, fight neurodegeneration
Competitive seed grants launch yearlong investigations of novel hypotheses about potential causes, biomarkers, treatments of Alzheimer’s and ALS.
Study links gene to cognitive resilience in the elderly
The findings may help explain why some people who lead enriching lives are less prone to Alzheimer’s and age-related dementia.
Brain’s “memory center” is needed to recognize image sequences, but not single sights
The visual cortex stores and remembers individual images, but mice can’t recognize image sequences without guidance from the hippocampus.
Memory-making involves extensive DNA breaking
To quickly express learning and memory genes, brain cells snap both strands of DNA in many more places and cell types than previously realized, a new study shows.
3 Questions: Anna Jagielska on printing artificial axons
How 3D-printed models of neuronal axons could accelerate development of new therapies to treat neurodegenerative disorders.
Four researchers earn interdisciplinary Schmidt Science Fellowships
Selective global honor supports early-career scientists and engineers in taking on new pursuits.
An on-off switch for gene editing
New, reversible CRISPR method can control gene expression while leaving underlying DNA sequence unchanged.