Thirty five mice watching Orson Welles’ Touch of Evil may help scientists explain human consciousness.
While a mouse watches the opening shot from Welles’ 1958 movie, the neurons in its brain start firing as it processes a range of visual stimuli from the film noir classic. A recording of this event is among the data released today as part of the new Allen Brain Observatory, the latest endeavor of Microsoft billionaire and philanthropist Paul Allen’s Seattle-based Institute for Brain Science.
Researchers sought out a long, continuous scene of video — one without any cuts in it, Wired reported. They also wanted one with a number of different kinds of motion. The famous three-minute continuous scene that begins Touch of Evil was one of the few videos that fit both requirements.
The Allen Brain Observatory will offer data that shows the cellular activity of the mouse’s visual cortex, which scientists from around the world will be able to use to figure out how the circuits of the animal’s brain work to drive cognition and consciousness, according to Forbes. Because mice are so similar to humans, genetically speaking, this knowledge could unravel many of the mysteries about how the human brain operates—and, by extension, what might be happening when it malfunctions.
__________
Post your comments on the Wellesnet Message Board.