New insights into animal intelligence and stress reduction

Image credit: niki_emmert via Unsplash

In a new study published in the journal Behavioural Brain Research, researchers have successfully trained rats to operate miniature makeshift cars, revealing fascinating insights into animal behavior. This finding not only highlights rats' capacity to learn complex tasks but also suggests a significant reduction in their anxiety levels as they engage in this stimulating activity. The results of this research could offer new perspectives on understanding anxiety and depression in humans, potentially leading to innovative treatment strategies.

Source

Crawford, L. E., Knouse, L. E., Kent, M., Vavra, D., Harding, O., LeServe, D., Fox, N., Hu, X., Li, P., Glory, C., & Lambert, K. G. (2020). Enriched environment exposure accelerates rodent driving skills. Behavioural brain research, 378, 112309. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2019.112309

Additional Reading

https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/12/health/neuroscientist-driving-rats-joy-conversation-partner/index.html#:~:text=Subscribe-,I'm%20a%20neuroscientist%20who%20taught%20rats%20to%20drive%20%E2%88%92%20their,fun%20can%20enrich%20human%20life&text=Rats%20housed%20in%20enriched%20environments,than%20those%20in%20standard%20cages.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/2019/10/24/rats-are-capable-driving-tiny-cars-researchers-found-it-eases-their-anxiety/

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-50167812