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Gaming Rodents Help Scientists Study Brains

by Warren Riddle on October 15, 2009 at 09:08 AM

Neuroscientists have made significant advances in the field of brain-mapping in recent years, but studying the actions of individual neurons has been almost impossible, particularly for moving subjects. According to Wired, a recent study published in Nature indicates that scientists, who previously could only study the simultaneous actions of millions of neurons, can actually monitor individual neural activity with a little help from video games.

The researchers stationed a mouse, with a miniscule gadget that measures electrical currents embedded in its hippocampus, on a styrofoam ball in front of a video screen (incredible video after the break). The scientists then investigated the rodent's brain activity as it virtually meandered its way through a 'Quake 2' landscape. The feat could not be performed on mice in actual mazes because of constant head movement. This predicament was avoided with the virtual maze, because the subject's head was held in place by a stationary helmet, allowing for real-time mapping of individual cells.

Scientists were at once both reserved and excited, as study co-author David Tank asserted that the research has just begun, while commentator Douglas Nitz stated that the conclusions would serve as a "powerful example of what will be learned in decades to come." So, while some scientists may believe that games are making people dumber, others are actually using them to uncover the mysteries of the mind. If video games actually do help create significant advances in preventing and curing mental illnesses, will all the ridiculous criticism finally end? Eh, probably not. [From: Wired]


Tags: brain mapping, BrainMapping, neuron, neurons, neuroscience, quake 2, Quake2, top

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