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When it comes to brain function, neurons get a lot of the glory. But healthy brains depend on the cooperation of many kinds of cells. The most abundant of the brain’s non-neuronal cells are astrocytes, star-shaped cells with a lot of responsibilities. Astrocytes help shape neural circuits, participate in information processing, and provide nutrient and […]

Large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT can write an essay or plan a menu almost instantly. But until recently, it was also easy to stump them. The models, which rely on language patterns to respond to users’ queries, often failed at math problems and were not good at complex reasoning. Suddenly, however, they’ve gotten a […]

With every step we take, our brains are already thinking about the next one. If a bump in the terrain or a minor misstep has thrown us off balance, our stride may need to be altered to prevent a fall. Our two-legged posture makes maintaining stability particularly complex, which our brains solve in part by […]

In most states, schools are required to screen students as they enter kindergarten — a process that is meant to identify students who may need extra help learning to read. However, a new study by MIT researchers suggests that these screenings may not be working as intended in all schools. The researchers’ survey of about […]

More than 300 million people worldwide are living with rare disorders — many of which have a genetic cause and affect the brain and nervous system — yet the vast majority of these conditions lack an approved therapy. Because each rare disorder affects fewer than 65 out of every 100,000 people, studying these disorders and […]

Our Mission RareNet unites leaders in neuroscience, medicine, advocacy, and industry to accelerate the translation of MIT discoveries into novel treatments for rare brain disorders. Our Approach By definition, rare brain disorders affect only a small percentage of the population, making them challenging to both study and treat. To address this problem, Ana Méndez ’91 […]

Are you passionate about the brain but need more research experience before applying to graduate school? The K. Lisa Yang Post-Baccalaureate Program at MIT offers an immersive, two-year, fully funded neuroscience research experience designed to help exceptional recent college graduates build the skills, confidence, and mentorship networks they need to thrive in top-tier PhD programs. […]