Neuroscientists found that mice can recognize themselves in the mirror 20:33

American neuroscientists from the University of Texas have discovered that mice can recognize themselves in the mirror by passing a self-recognition test. The study was published in the scientific journal magazine Neuron.

During the experiment, scientists applied a small white dot to the foreheads of mice with black fur. The rodents were then shown their reflections. Animals with white markings spent more time in front of the mirror trying to remove the paint.

Experts noted that animals exhibit this behavior if they are already accustomed to mirrors and communicate with similar relatives, and this point should be quite remarkable.

The team then identified a group of neurons in the hippocampus, a region of the brain that plays a role in the development and storage of a person’s visual image. This provides the first insight into the neural mechanisms underlying self-recognition.

Using gene expression mapping, the researchers identified a subset of neurons in the ventral (lower) part of the hippocampus that was activated when mice “recognized” themselves in reflection. When the researchers selectively disabled these neurons, the mice no longer exhibited mirror- and ink-induced behaviors.

Gene expression analysis also showed that socially isolated mice did not develop self-responsive neuronal activity in the hippocampus as did black-furred mice reared by white-furred mice. This suggests that mice need social experience to develop the neural circuits necessary for self-recognition.

“For example, to create episodic memories about events in our daily lives, the brain creates and stores information that includes answers to the following questions: where, what, when and who. The most important component is personal information or status. Researchers often study how the brain encodes or recognizes others, but the personal information dimension is still unclear,” said neuroscientist Takashi Kitamura, lead author of the study.

Although the mice noticed changes in their appearance and passed the mirror test, this did not necessarily mean they were self-aware, the scientists noted. They need significant sensory stimuli to notice the paint on their head; for example, the sign must be clearly visible. However, humans or chimpanzees do not need such stimuli to recognize themselves in the mirror.

Previously neuroscientists I learnedRoosters can recognize themselves in the mirror.