Brain Research
Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft, is responsible for the most
important and most remarkable brain research in recent years. In 2002,
Allen assembled several of the world’s greatest scientists to do
research that would increase understanding of the brain. His budget was
a commitment of one hundred million dollars, and in September of 2006,
a major development was made in brain research with the completion of
the Allen Brain Atlas.
This research has revealed that the majority of the body’s genes are
triggered in the brain – a percentage that was much higher than any
scientist had expected. According to David Anderson, Ph.D. at
California Institute of Technology and project advisor, the atlas gives
neuroscientists precise information on areas of the brain for further
research. The Allen Atlas has already begun to bear fruit from other
progress made by neuroscientists.
Other progress in research has been made at Indiana University,
Indianapolis to show the influence on the brain from activities that
are either violent or peaceful. By using Magnetic Resonance Imaging
(MRI) the researchers at Indiana University were able discover which
parts of the brain are affected when children play violent video games.
Two groups were selected to play video games. One of the groups
played a game called “Medal of Honor” which was violent. The
other group played a game named “Need for Speed” which was non-violent
but was exciting.
The researchers collected the data after thirty minutes and the ones
playing the non-violent game showed activity in the frontal area of the
brain which is the area of concentration, self control and inhibition.
The group in the violent area showed no activity in the frontal
area, but showed activity in the amygdale which is the “reptilian” part
of the brain that arouses emotional feelings and particularly anger.
The “reptilian brain” is the animal type of the brain which is the
area of basic instincts such as the obtaining food when starving, and
the impulse for procreation or survival. This is an important part of
the brain, of course, particularly when action needs to be taken on
impulse, but this part of the brain has no ability to reason or
make logical decisions, be tolerant, be understanding, or express love
because it is the least cerebral part of your brain.
This research likely has transparent application for teens who spend
hours playing violent video games, as other research has indicated that
both repetitive thoughts and actions that are practiced reside in the
brain and will probably be repeated in the future. This is a good
enough reason to suspect that children who spend a lot of time firing
up their reptilian brain may be more prone to violence – and may be
less likely to show self-control. Now is the time for parents exercise
control over their children to direct behavior in the right direction.
Brain research by Kevin Tracey, M.D. took twenty years of research
and experiments to discover that the brain may actually help the immune
system fight disease. An eleven month old girl named Janice was the
patient who inspired Dr. Tracey, a neurosurgeon, immunologist, and
Director of the Feinstein Institute of Medical Research in Manhasset,
New York, to continue experiments on one of the most amazing
discoveries in brain research.
