Researchers at the University of Basel in Switzerland found that the brain’s efficiency in processing unexpected stimuli increases over time. The weakening of the reaction to them is associated with the complete maturation of the cerebral cortex. results published In the journal Science Advances.
In the study, scientists exposed a group of young mice to a series of sounds. They also monitored the animals’ brain activity.
Using this data, the researchers were able to understand how different parts of the mice’s brain responded to changes in sounds over time. Initially this response was very strong, but it diminished as the corresponding brain regions matured to a level comparable to adult animals.
Scientists noted that full development in different parts of the brain that process sound does not occur at the same time. The area located between the auditory nerve and the auditory cortex, called the inferior colliculus, was already fully mature in the animals by 20 days of age. However, development of the primary auditory cortex was complete only on the fiftieth day of the mice’s life.
This means that the brain’s effectiveness in processing unexpected stimuli (and no surprise, getting used to them) does not occur immediately. For this reason, children whose primary auditory cortex has not yet completed their development are more likely to experience surprise even if the stimuli are repeated.
Previously was named A new possible reason for kids’ passion for gadgets.