For many years, a dominant view in neuroscience was that neurons in the inferotemporal (IT) cortex—a critical center in the ...

As in larger brains, mouse visual cortex neurons with the same function cluster in columns. For over 50 years, it has been known that in the cerebral cortex of many mammals, neurons with the same ...

Every illusion has a backstage crew. New research shows the brain’s own “puppet strings”—special neurons that quietly tug our perception—help us see edges and shapes that don’t actually exist. When ...

Think you can trust your eyes? Think again. What feels undeniable at first glance is sometimes a surprise, an illusion, or an ...

Optical illusions aren’t just fun—they’re windows into how our brains construct reality. New research reveals the specific brain circuits and neurons responsible for ‘seeing’ things that aren’t there.

The 1950s were a relatively rudimentary era for experimental neurophysiology. Recording the electrical activity of neurons wasn’t uncommon, but the methods often demanded considerable patience and ...

Does the deaf brain "see" with its ears? New research shows the auditory cortex maps visual space through selective ...

Close your eyes and picture a coffee cup. Suddenly, the dark fills with shape, color, and texture. It’s a picture as vivid as ...

Cells called astrocytes are about as abundant in the brain as neurons, but scientists have spent much less time figuring out how they contribute to brain functions. A novel study by MIT researchers at ...

For over 50 years, it has been known that in the cerebral cortex of many mammals, neurons with the same function are grouped into columns. Now, for the first time, researchers at the Max Planck ...