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Researchers use tickling to study brain activity during playful behavior in rats.

Dr. Michael Brecht and his team at Humboldt University in Berlin conducted a study to explore the neuroscience behind playful behavior in rats. Playful behavior is observed in various species, including mammals, birds, fish, and reptiles, and it often involves features such as vocalizations and rewards. The researchers focused on a brain region called the periaqueductal gray (PAG) and found that it is active both during play and when rats are tickled, which is analogous to laughter. Inhibiting activity in the PAG reduced the rats’ inclination to play and laugh when tickled.

The study suggests a strong connection between playfulness and ticklishness in rats, highlighting the importance of play as an evolutionarily significant behavior. Dr. Alexa Veenema, an associate professor of behavioral neuroscience, praised the study’s clever design in simulating social play-related laughter among rats. Both Veenema and Brecht hope the research encourages people to appreciate the value of play for social functioning and well-being across different ages, emphasizing the importance of incorporating playful behavior into daily life.

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