Science made an important discovery about the brain's noradrenaline (NA) system, which is linked to conditions like ADHD, depression, and anxiety.
They used a groundbreaking method to study the brain's chemistry by monitoring real-time chemical activity in living humans, using clinical electrodes normally used for epilepsy monitoring.
This new approach is a significant step forward and took over a decade to develop.
How it was discovered
The researchers modified standard clinical electrodes for patients undergoing deep brain stimulation surgery.
They focused on a brain region called the amygdala, which is related to emotions and influenced by the NA system.
By directly recording brain activity in patients, the researchers found that NA levels in the brain are related to emotional intensity, especially in response to unexpected images.
Why it's important
This work offers valuable insights into how the brain functions and can help improve our understanding of various medical conditions.
This achievement is considered groundbreaking and a significant advancement in understanding how human brain circuits work. It opens up new possibilities for studying brain activity in real-time, which can benefit a wide range of research and improve our knowledge of how the human brain functions.
