Author: Merentsova Anastasia
Translator: Issabayeva Madina
Copy editor: Kigbayeva Kamila
American scientists used laser activation of neurons in the amygdala (the area of the brain responsible for generating emotional responses) to induce a strong desire in rodents, focusing on sugar, cocaine, or an object that was painful to touch.
For example, one group of rats, combined with the laser excitation of the amygdala, came into contact with an object from which they received a discharge. After several of these activations, the animals themselves began to find the source of pain.
A similar situation was observed in groups of animals trained in sugar and cocaine. So, after a few stimulations of the amygdala body and the subsequent production of sugar, «sugar addicts» from the presented cocaine and sugar chose sugar. With the third group, named by the scientists «cocaine addicts», it was accurate to the contrary.
The activation of the amygdala itself did not have a positive effect and could even increase fear in another situation. It was the "activation-object" scheme that worked. It’s amazing that it worked even with a frankly unpleasant experience - with a shock.
According to scientists, the amygdala recruited additional brain circuits related to dependency, which allowed the formation of a strong and narrowly focused desire for a single purpose.
Source: http://www.meddaily.ru/article/
