Doctors understand how the brain learns decisions and accumulate experience
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The Brain of mammals (including our) stores and stores huge amount of information, based on our decisions and interactions with the surrounding world. As a result, we adapt and gain experience in a particular area of our lives. But how exactly is this happening? And how is accumulating the same . It seems that scientists from the Medical school of Johns Hopkins University found the answer to these questions.
How the brain works
A team of researchers led by associate Professor of neurobiology Jeremy Cohen in his work used the imitation of life in the wild in order to train 36 mice to choose between two tubes, which gives them water. Both handsets were controlled by a computer and the machine included each «randomly» (from the point of view of the mice), but by following a certain algorithm. In the end, the animals understand how this system works and were more likely to go to the tube that most likely could be included and serve them.
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The Most interesting thing started after the scientists changed the algorithms of the water supply. When rodents have realized that «something wrong», they needed much less time than the first time, to understand how are now working tube for supplying water. with each change of the algorithm of water flow it took less time. That is, the animal, based on previous experience, adapted to the changed conditions and took certain decisions.
How the brain generates the experience?
To find out, roughly speaking, of mice «stored memories of the water», the scientists attached the rodents on the head of the microelectrodes in order to measure the speed of work more than 3000 neurons of the cerebral cortex. At the beginning of the experiment (when the mice haven't had knowledge about the system of water supply) action potential were recorded only in areas of the brain responsible for short-term memory. During the continuation of the experiments the transmission speed of signals between neurons decreased (which indicates a more rapid adoption of the decision), and later signals have begun to register in areas of the brain responsible for long-term memory (formation experience). As told to Jeremy Cohen:
Figuring out where and how long the brain can store the information and why he does it, how the decision model. Ultimately these models will help us to find ways to impact zones, which formed as the result of a negative experience. For example, the areas responsible for addiction to alcohol, cigarettes or drugs. After that we will be able to develop more effective methods of combating these conditions.
Even more interesting material you can read in our
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