The Science of Tickling: Tickling Rats Reveal Fascinating Insights into Laughter
A research team at Humboldt University of Berlin, led by Professor Michael Brecht, has recently made groundbreaking discoveries about the connection between tickling and laughter in rats. Through their study, they have shed light on the intriguing neural mechanisms behind this fundamental human response.
During their experiment, the team gently tickled the rats’ bellies, resulting in a series of ultrasonic ‘squeak’ sounds emitted by the rodents. Although inaudible to humans, these vocalizations were a clear indication of the rats’ enjoyment. Remarkably, the rats were even observed to display physical signs of happiness, such as smiling and itching.
To investigate further, the researchers conducted brain activity measurements on the tickled rats. Through electrodes implanted in their brains, the team recorded the rats’ neural responses while they were being tickled and engaged in playful activities. The findings were nothing short of fascinating.
One striking revelation from the study was the strong activation of the gray matter around the aqueduct in the rats’ brains during tickling sessions. This activation appeared to be closely tied to the rats’ laughter and playfulness. Conversely, when this specific brain area was inhibited, the rats ceased playing and laughing altogether.
Interestingly, the research team also explored how environmental factors influenced the rats’ propensity to engage in play and laughter. They found that under bright, anxiety-inducing lights, the rats played less and displayed diminished laughter and gray matter responses. This highlights the importance of the gray matter around the water pipe in fostering playful behaviors and laughter.
Furthermore, the study suggests that play and laughter in rats, and potentially in other mammals, can be considered instinctive behaviors. The periductal gray matter, located in the midbrain, has long been associated with controlling instinctual responses to threats. Professor Brecht and his team now aim to investigate whether this brain region plays a similar decisive role in other animal species.
Implications and Future Research
These findings have significant implications for our understanding of laughter and its underlying mechanisms. By studying the neural correlates of tickling-induced laughter in rats, researchers can gain valuable insights into the biological basis of laughter in humans.
For Professor Brecht and his team, this study marks just the beginning of their exploration into the intricate connections between the gray matter around the water pipe and playful behaviors. They hope that by unraveling the mysteries of laughter in animals, they can contribute to a deeper comprehension of laughter’s role in human social interactions and emotional well-being.
As science continues to unlock the secrets of laughter, one thing remains clear: tickling, an activity once thought to be purely whimsical, has a profound impact on our brains and behavior, even in our furry friends.
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When the research team touched the rat’s belly, they tickled the rat and made an ultrasonic ‘squeak’ sound. Courtesy of Michael Brecht
In the picture, the rat is itching and smiling. while emitting ultrasonic sounds so loud that humans cannot hear them.
In July, Professor Michael Brecht’s team at the Humboldt University of Berlin, Germany, measured brain activity while rats were being tickled or played, and published a study showing that there is ‘grey matter around water pipes’ in the brain is essential for play.
For one to two weeks, the research team allowed the rats to live comfortably and happily in the experimental box. Light was dimmed and rats were touched at least once a day to allow them to become accustomed to human touch. Then, tick the back and stomach of the mice gently.
They also played hide and seek by chasing the mouse with their hand and making the mouse voluntarily run towards their hand. The research team recorded the rats’ brain activity through electrodes previously implanted in the rats’ brains while the rats ticked and played.
As a result, the research team found that the gray matter around the aqueduct in the brain was highly activated while the rat was tickled. Conversely, when this area was inhibited, the mice stopped playing and stopped laughing.
In the same experiment under strong lights that made the rats anxious, the rats played less, and their laughing and gray matter responses were reduced. The research team explained that the gray matter around the water pipe plays a vital role in play and laughter.
Periductal gray matter, located in the midbrain, is known to be involved in controlling instinctive behavior in response to threatening stimuli. The findings suggest that play and laughter are also instinctive. Professor Michael Brecht said, “We will study whether the gray matter around the water pipe also plays a decisive role in other mammals.”
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Science for Children Donga September 1st issue, [과학뉴스] Tickling-laughing rats reveal brain region that controls laughter!
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