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Scientists from the Weizmann Institute have made a groundbreaking discovery showing how neurons in the hippocampus of bats encode social information about other group members. This significant finding opens new horizons in understanding the workings of the human brain and social behavior.
The leading author of the study, Professor Nachum Ulanovsky, presented his findings at the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS) conference, sparking widespread interest in the scientific community. Full details of the presentation can be found here abstractserver.
Research in an Artificial Cave
The study involved wild Egyptian fruit bats living in a specially created “cave” – a room measuring 2.7 x 2.3 x 2.6 meters with hanging nets where the bats could fly freely. Groups of animals, consisting of five to ten individuals, lived in this environment for several months, forming natural social bonds and hierarchies.
Cutting-Edge Technology in Action
Each bat was equipped with a miniature wireless electrophysiological system that recorded neuronal electrical activity during various activities such as resting, flying, and social interactions. Video cameras tracked the bats’ head direction and social responses, allowing researchers to monitor their behavior in detail.
The Role of the Hippocampus
The study revealed that the hippocampus, besides its known functions of memory and spatial orientation, plays a crucial role in processing social information. It retains data on gender, hierarchical status, and social bonds with other individuals. For the first time, scientists were able to study social relationships not just in pairs but within an entire social network, discovering how hippocampal neurons integrate social, spatial, and mnemonic aspects into a unified socio-spatial memory.
Implications for Human Behavior
Professor Ulanovsky suggested that similar mechanisms might exist in humans, as the structure of the bat hippocampus closely resembles that of humans. This discovery opens new pathways for researching human social behavior.
International Recognition
Professor Richard Roche from Maynooth University (Ireland), who was not involved in the study, praised the work of the Israeli colleagues. He emphasized that understanding the mechanisms that define our social code could aid in studying conditions such as depression, anxiety, and autism.
The Weizmann Institute’s discovery challenges previous notions about social interactions among animals and humans, promising a new understanding of the complex processes that govern our behavior.
