Posts Tagged ‘amygdala’
No Fear
In an interesting article in the magazine Nautilus, J.B. MacKinnon, reports that a brain scan (fMRI) of free solo climber, Alex Honnold’s brain explains why he is so willing to risk his life to climb rocks without a rope. The fear circuitry in his brain is dysfunctional. Alex Honnold climbing without a rope You may…
Read MoreSeeing Red out of the Blue
We like to believe that we are in control of our actions, but sometimes we are not. A sudden incident can overtake conscious will and launch us into violent action that risks our life and limb in an instant. I know, because it happened to me. I am a neuroscientist, and after witnessing…
Read More“You Don’t Have Time to Think.” Heroic Veteran Capt. Florent Groberg’s Selfless Action
Today it was announced that Army Capt. Florent Groberg will receive the Medal of Honor for instantly tackling a suicide bomber in a split-second reaction of self-sacrifice to save the lives of his comrades. “You don’t have time to think. You react,” he explains. But how is that possible? As we honor Capt. Groberg with…
Read MoreWhy no one helped
On Saturday, July 4, 2015, a horrifying bloodbath erupted before the eyes of passengers on the Red Line Metro subway train heading to Fourth of July festivities in Washington, DC. Wide-spread criticism in the press and social media erupted over the “apathetic” response of onlookers who reportedly said or did nothing to help the victim.…
Read MoreTo Flee or Freeze? Neural Circuits of Threat Detection Identified
Suddenly something streaks into your peripheral vision. Instantly, you jump back and raise your arms defensively. “What was that!” You exclaim in shock. Only then do you realize that the blurred streak you just dodged was a wayward basketball zinging like a missile on a collision course for your face. A rush of adrenaline flushes…
Read MoreThe Kathmandu earthquake will alter brain structure of survivors
Studies of people who have survived earthquakes and other traumatic events can provide important insights into the effect of stress on human brain structure.
Read MoreRecognizing the Face of a Murder
The test subjects were able to suss out the murders on appearance alone, even though the photos were tightly cropped to reveal nothing but the parts of the human face that communicates emotion and internal states–eyes, nose, and mouth.
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