Turn Cute Mice Into Killers With The Flip Of A Switch

by Andrew CaringiScientists from Yale were able to turn lab mice into killers with the flip of a switch. The researchers injected the mice with a light-sensitive gene, targeting the brain’s amygdala region which allowed them to turn specific neurons on and off with the flash of a blue light. One circuit of neurons forced the mice to pursue nearby prey, while another triggered the face and head muscles that delivered the killing blow. Scientists were able to target just one or both of the behaviors with the flash of a light. The research is helping scientists better understand how the human brain controls hunting behavior.
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