Name: Nobel Prize in Medicine awarded for technique decoding brain mysteries, US scientist among trio
Uploaded: 2026-10-05T10:16:50+00:00
Description: A trio of scientists, including a US psychiatrist, received the Nobel Prize in Medicine for developing a technique that helps unravel the complex mysteries of the brain.

A trio of scientists, including a US psychiatrist, received the Nobel Prize in Medicine for developing a technique that helps unravel the complex mysteries of the brain.

The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for 2026 has been jointly awarded to Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann, and Georg Nagel for their groundbreaking contributions to understanding the brain. Their discoveries focused on light-gated ion channels and the development of optogenetics, a revolutionary technique that allows scientists to control the activity of individual nerve cells using light.

This innovative method has enabled researchers to illuminate the intricate workings of the brain, offering unprecedented insights into how neural circuits influence memories, emotions, and behaviors. By providing a tool to precisely switch nerve cells on or off, optogenetics has ushered in a new era in neuroscience, deepening the understanding of both healthy brain function and neurological disorders.

The Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet announced the winners on Monday, October 5, 2026, stating that their work has laid a fundamental new foundation in neuroscience. The three laureates will share the prize sum of 12 million Swedish kronor.

Nobel Prize in Medicine awarded for technique decoding brain mysteries, US scientist among trio

CNN: reports Nobel Prize in medicine awarded to trio for technique that helps decode mysteries of the brain
BBC: reports Nobel Prize awarded for revealing inner workings of the brain and specifies US psychiatrist among recipients

What each outlet emphasizes

Read it at the source