A study done at the UCLA Brain Research Institute shows that the brain can "re-route" certain systems. In this particular experiment, fear was explored. The rats were exposed to cages that shocked them every time they went inside them. This caused them to be scared of them. Once that fear was created the researchers turned off their fear mechanisms and exposed the rats to the cages one ore time. They were surprised to find that they still showed pretty normal fear responses.
I found this study to be quite interesting because it shows just how versatile the brain is. It's pretty amazing to know that our brains have certain "back up" systems in place in case something goes wrong. I don't think that this can be done for everything. I would not be surprised if this only proves true in the most basic and primal of instincts since those are the ones that we have needed since the beginning of time. It would make a lot of sense if our brains had figured out a way for us to do certain things even if the primary system has been affected.
10 comments:
This is really cool! It think its important that if one part of the brain shuts down for some reason, another part can take control of some of the functions.
Wow this is amazing. Studies like these are really important!
Its crazy how much the brain is easily able to remember fear in the mice. Its safe to say its definitely the most important part in our body.
I agree with Jenai! cool post, it makes me wonder.
That's quite fascinating. The human brain is a very complex structure and scientists don't know all of its functions or abilities yet.
this is quite intriguing, its crazy how the brain can remember fear like that
wow! the brain is so amazing and complex! it never seizes to amaze me.
cool picture! so do you think soon we could be able to rewire a mentally disabled person's brain to function normally?
Well, I think that this would only work for very basic and primal instincts. So we might be able to help them regain certain things, but probably not everything.
Eh I kinda wish they were able to turn off the fear mechanisms. I would love to be able to turn my "fear off"
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