Neurons for Good and Bad Surprises
A recent study with monkeys finds that the amygdala, the emotional center of the brain, has neurons that fire for good surprises, and different neurons that fire for bad surprises.
SUBSCRIBE TO 60-Second Mind
On supporting science journalism
If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
Say you are walking in the forest. Birds are chirping. Sun is shining. And you come around a corner and bam, you're face to face with a grizzly. And you freeze!
Now let’s say you came around that same corner but this time you run into your old pal Joe.
Both events are equally surprising, and our amygdala, the emotional part of the brain, is activated. But how does the amygdala process what makes us recoil from the bear, but go to hug Joe?
Researchers recently reported in the journal Neuron, that there are two circuits at work.
They measured the firing of nearly 300 cells in five monkeys. The monkeys either received an unexpected sip of water (nice surprise) or a puff of air in their face (bad surprise).
Scientists found that in the amygdala, there are a group of neurons that specifically react to surprise. And then there are different neurons that react to only good or only bad surprises.
As for the next step in brain mapping: scientists want to see if there are dedicated neurons for different kinds of nice surprises, like for money surprises, chocolate cake surprises, or even “old pal Joe” surprises.
It’s Time to Stand Up for Science
If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.
I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.
If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.
In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.
There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.
