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Nobel Prize for the brain's GPS discovery | |
(35 minutes later) | |
The Nobel Prize for physiology or medicine has been awarded to three scientists who discovered the brain's "GPS system". | The Nobel Prize for physiology or medicine has been awarded to three scientists who discovered the brain's "GPS system". |
UK-based researcher Prof John O'Keefe as well as May-Britt Moser and Edvard Moser share the award. | UK-based researcher Prof John O'Keefe as well as May-Britt Moser and Edvard Moser share the award. |
They discovered how the brain knows where we are and is able to navigate from one place to another. | They discovered how the brain knows where we are and is able to navigate from one place to another. |
Their findings may help explain why in Alzheimer's disease patients cannot recognise their surroundings. | Their findings may help explain why in Alzheimer's disease patients cannot recognise their surroundings. |
"The discoveries have solved a problem that has occupied philosophers and scientists for centuries," the Nobel Assembly said. | "The discoveries have solved a problem that has occupied philosophers and scientists for centuries," the Nobel Assembly said. |
Inner GPS | |
Prof O'Keefe, from University College London, discovered the first part of the brain's internal positioning system in 1971. | Prof O'Keefe, from University College London, discovered the first part of the brain's internal positioning system in 1971. |
He showed that a set of nerve cells became activated whenever a rat was in one location in a room. | He showed that a set of nerve cells became activated whenever a rat was in one location in a room. |
A different set of cells were active when the rat was in a different area. | A different set of cells were active when the rat was in a different area. |
Prof O'Keefe argued these "place cells" - located in the hippocampus - formed a map within the brain. | Prof O'Keefe argued these "place cells" - located in the hippocampus - formed a map within the brain. |
In 2005, husband and wife team, May-Britt and Edvard, discovered a different part of the brain which acts more like a nautical chart. | In 2005, husband and wife team, May-Britt and Edvard, discovered a different part of the brain which acts more like a nautical chart. |
These "grid cells" are akin to lines of longitude and latitude, helping the brain to judge distance and navigate. | These "grid cells" are akin to lines of longitude and latitude, helping the brain to judge distance and navigate. |
The work at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim. | |
The Nobel committee said the combination of grid and place cells "constitutes a comprehensive positioning system, an inner GPS, in the brain". | |
They added: "[This system is] affected in several brain disorders, including dementia and Alzheimer's disease. | |
"A better understanding of neural mechanisms underlying spatial memory is therefore important and the discoveries of place and grid cells have been a major leap forward to advance this endeavour." |