Scientists have long known that humans and other animals have a master biological clock situated in a deep brain region called the hypothalamus. In this master clock, cells…
Many people with autism display atypical sensory processing, and in independent studies, abnormalities in a deep brain structure known as the insula. A new study from researchers at…
(l to r) Takao K. Hensch, Henry H.C. Lee, and Alain Prochiantz A small group of highly metabolically active neurons act as conductors in the symphony that is…
Takao Hensch (l) and Eun-Jin Yang Behavioral preferences are shaped from an early age and often last a lifetime. Even before they are 1 week old, babies prefer…
Scientists in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB) and Center for Brain Science (CBS) have launched a high-tech effort to map the brain’s “wiring diagram” and…
Brain functions, such as language, are shaped by experience during windows of heightened plasticity in early life. For example, children raised in an English- speaking environment will easily…
(L to R) Hirofumi Morishita and Takao K. Hensch Much of our behavior reflects the neural circuits sculpted by experience during early developmental critical periods. Such heightened brain…
Takao Hensch A new study, published in this week's Nature, that helps tease apart the role of single cells in the neural circuit controlling vision is helping researchers…
(L to R) Sayaka Sugiyama and Takao Hensch Researchers have long sought a factor that can trigger the brain’s ability to learn – and perhaps recapture the “sponge-like”…
Takao Hensch Takao Hensch thinks of himself as a bridge-builder, and since his work spans continents, languages, and schools on the Harvard campus, it’s easy to see why.…
