The scientists published the results of new studies of the brain of snails.
This is the conclusion of biologists from the University of Sussex (England) have studied the brain activity of freshwater snails.
The British scientists assure that for making important decisions with only two neurons. Detailed results of the research conducted under the direction of Professor George Kernes, will soon be published in the scientific journal Nature Communications, and yet published a press release on the University website. Kernes and his colleagues observed the snails.
Special attention was paid to activity in the brain of snails at the moment when they decide to search for food. Subjects were implanted in the brain electrodes recorded the electrical activity of neurons.
The observation results showed that for decision-making about finding food the snails will involve just two neurons. The first delivers a signal to the brain whether there is food around.
The second signals the feeling of hunger. Here’s the basic scheme. If two neurons “vote for” the snail goes to lettuce, which biologists were fed test subjects during the experiment.
Kernes said that the way snails save energy. If there is no food – then why to involve the whole brain. Or if the snail is not hungry – she also avoids the need to “meditate” on this matter.
In short, this scheme allows to efficiently solve the problem of integration of external and internal information. The researchers acknowledge that today people know very little about what happens in their brain when making complex behavioral decisions and their implementation.
Experiment with snails revealed that only two of the neuron can cope with a complex, at first glance, the task. Moreover, this approach is extremely effective from the standpoint of saving energy. Biologists also note that their study may help the design of robots. They will also need to “make decisions”, and ideally with minimal cost.
