Alzheimer's

At left is the brain of a mouse genetically programmed to develop Alzheimer’s disease. At right, the brain of a mouse programmed to develop the disease, but treated with noninvasive visual stimulation, shows much less neurodegeneration.

Why visual stimulation may work against Alzheimer’s

New findings help explain the surprising discovery that exposure to flickering light reduces amyloid plaques in mice.

May 7, 2019

In the Alzheimer’s affected brain, abnormal levels of the beta-amyloid protein clump together to form plaques (seen in brown) that collect between neurons and disrupt cell function. Abnormal collections of the tau protein accumulate and form tangles (seen in blue) within neurons, harming synaptic communication between nerve cells.

A comprehensive map of how Alzheimer’s affects the brain

Analysis of genes altered by the disease could provide targets for new treatments.

May 1, 2019

By exposing mice to a unique combination of light and sound, MIT neuroscientists have shown that they can improve cognitive and memory impairments similar to those seen in Alzheimer’s patients. At left, the mouse cortex shows a reduction in amyloid plaques following visual and auditory stimulation, compared to the untreated mouse at right.

Brain wave stimulation may improve Alzheimer’s symptoms

Noninvasive treatment improves memory and reduces amyloid plaques in mice.

March 14, 2019

Tsai earns Hans Wigzell's Prize in Medicine

Award recognizes Alzheimer's disease discoveries.

January 25, 2019

MIT neuroscientists have performed a comprehensive study of the APOE4 gene, which increases risk for Alzheimer’s disease, and the more common form of the gene, APOE3.

Neuroscientists discover roles of gene linked to Alzheimer’s

Study reveals why people with the APOE4 gene have higher risk of the disease.

May 31, 2018

A nutrient mix based in part on research from the lab of MIT Professor Emeritus Richard Wurtman has shown promise in treating the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

MIT research laid groundwork for promising Alzheimer’s-fighting drink

Studies by Richard Wurtman have led to development of nutrient mix shown to slow cognitive impairment in early stages of the disease.

October 30, 2017

The green staining shows hippocampal CA1 engram cells, which store a long-term fear memory and have the light sensitive optogenetic protein channelrhodopsin-2. The blue staining shows all cells in the dorsal hippocampus brain region, including non-engram cells (blue color staining only).

MIT neuroscientists build case for new theory of memory formation

Existence of “silent engrams” suggests that existing models of memory formation should be revised.

October 23, 2017

Microglia, the brain's immune cells, scavenge the brain for repairs and to remove potential infectious agents.

Cellular reprograming implicated in model of Alzheimer's disease

Neuroscientists identify genetic changes in microglia in a mouse model of neurodegeneration and Alzheimer's disease.

October 12, 2017

MIT engineers have devised a way to automate the process of monitoring neurons in a living brain using a computer algorithm that analyzes microscope images and guides a robotic arm to the target cell. In this image, a pipette guided by a robotic arm approaches a neuron identified with a fluorescent stain.

Robotic system monitors specific neurons

Success rate is comparable to that of highly trained scientists performing the process manually.

August 30, 2017

MIT researchers have demonstrated a new way to reverse memory loss by blocking an enzyme known as HDAC2.

Blocking a key enzyme may reverse memory loss

MIT study suggests a new approach to developing treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.

August 8, 2017

“Even though there has been a lot of high-resolution, atomic level structural work on amyloids by solid-state NMR, people have really not studied the metal-binding aspects,” says professor Mei Hong.

Chemists reveal amyloid structure

Discovery of how amyloids bind metal ions sheds light on protein function.

May 29, 2017

William Souillard-Mandar ’12, MEng ’15 (left); Professor Randall Davis; and their team have created a fast, inexpensive way to improve cognitive testing.

New AI tool improves cognitive testing

Digital pen plus speedy data analysis developed at MIT and tested at Lahey Hospital improves a classic test that helps detect cognitive impairment.

March 10, 2017

“…[I]f humans behave similarly to mice in response to this treatment, I would say the potential is just enormous, because it’s so noninvasive, and it’s so accessible,” says Li-Huei Tsai, the Picower Professor of Neuroscience, when describing a new treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.

Unique visual stimulation may be new treatment for Alzheimer’s

Noninvasive technique reduces beta amyloid plaques in mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease.

December 7, 2016

MIT neuroscientist Li-Huei Tsai (left) receives the Mika Salpeter Lifetime Achievement Award from Society for Neuroscience President Hollis Cline.

Li-Huei Tsai receives Society for Neuroscience Mika Salpeter Lifetime Achievement Award

Picower Institute director awarded for her research on brain development, neurological disorders, and Alzheimer’s disease.

December 2, 2016

Beta-amyloid plaque deposits (red) disrupt mylelin (green) organization in the brain and activate microglia (orange), driving the inflammation, neurodegeneration, and cognitive disfunction associated with Alzheimer's disease.

Creating therapies for Alzheimer's disease by targeting neural circuits

Study finds a complex series of molecular, cellular, circuit and network-level changes contribute to the progression of Alzheimer's.

November 9, 2016

MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology

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