Circuit that focuses attention brings in wide array of inputs
With a comprehensive map of the wiring, researchers can now discern what information flows into the circuit to enable a key brain function.
Approaching human cognition from many angles
Senior Keith Murray combines his interests in neuroscience, computation, and philosophy to better understand human behavior.
What words can convey
Natural language processing models capture rich knowledge of words’ meanings through statistics.
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.
An optimized solution for face recognition
When artificial intelligence is tasked with visually identifying objects and faces, it assigns specific components of its network to face recognition — just like the human brain.
Developing brain needs cannabinoid receptors after birth
Cannabinoid receptors help the brain’s dopamine system establish key connections after birth, a new mouse study suggests.
Study finds neurons that encode the outcomes of actions
These cells, located in the brain’s striatum, appear to help with decision-making that requires evaluating risks and benefits.
Setting carbon management in stone
When it comes to carbon storage, some MIT scientists think the best solution is to find the fastest way to turn carbon into rock.
Q&A: Climate Grand Challenges finalists on accelerating reductions in global greenhouse gas emissions
Faculty leaders describe their efforts to develop potentially game-changing tools.
New MRI probe can reveal more of the brain’s inner workings
Tracing connections between neuron populations could help researchers map brain circuits that underlie behavior and perception.
The benefits of peripheral vision for machines
Researchers find similarities between how some computer-vision systems process images and how humans see out of the corners of our eyes.
Assessing connections in the brain’s reading network
State-of-the-art analysis of brain images from nearly 700 children has turned up surprisingly few links between white matter structure and reading ability.
Singing in the brain
MIT neuroscientists have identified a population of neurons in the human brain that respond to singing but not other types of music.
On a mission to alleviate chronic pain
Fan Wang’s studies of how the brain controls pain may one day lead to new treatments that could help millions of people.
Dendrites may help neurons perform complicated calculations
Different types of these branch-like projections process incoming information in different ways before sending it to the body of the neuron.