Your Brain Probably has a "Pokemon Region" | SciShow News

TL;DR

A study suggests that Pokémon activates a specific part of the brain, supporting the hypothesis that brain organization is determined by how objects are viewed. Additionally, new research argues that Alzheimer's should be classified as a double prion disease, which could change diagnosis and treatment methods.

Transcript

Thanks to Skillshare for supporting this whole week of SciShow! ♪♪♪ Big news this week: if you played Pokémon as a kid, a study in Nature Human Behaviour says there is a part of your brain that responds specifically to Pokémon. If you go to see Detective Pikachu, you’ll have a little bit light up that won’t light up in the brains of your parents, o... Read More

Key Insights

• 🖐️ Childhood experiences, such as playing Pokémon, shape brain organization and the ability to recognize objects.
• 💨 The way objects are viewed influences the formation of neural "files" in the brain, which are crucial for perception.
• 🥺 Visual impairments in early life may lead to abnormal brain coding of objects, affecting recognition abilities.
• 🙏 Alzheimer's disease could be caused by two types of incorrectly-folded proteins that act as prions, challenging current understanding of the disease.
• ⏫ Reclassifying Alzheimer's as a double prion disease could revolutionize diagnosis and treatment approaches.
• 🧠 Certain mechanisms in the brain may help individuals with Alzheimer's live longer by converting harmful prions into less damaging plaques or tangles.
• 💁 Research should now focus on preventing the formation and spread of prions in Alzheimer's rather than targeting plaques and tangles.

Questions & Answers

Q: What part of the brain is activated when Pokémon is viewed, and what does this tell us about brain organization?

When Pokémon is viewed, the occipitotemporal sulcus is activated, indicating that brain organization is influenced by how objects are seen in our visual field. This suggests that childhood experiences shape our brain's ability to recognize objects.

Q: How does the study on Pokémon contribute to our understanding of brain development?

The study supports the hypothesis that the formation of neural "files" in the brain depends on how objects are viewed. It highlights the importance of childhood sight in developing the brain's ability to recognize and categorize objects.

Q: What implications does the study on Pokémon have for individuals with visual impairments?

The study suggests that individuals who can't focus on objects early in life due to visual impairments may have abnormal object recognition in their brains. This could affect their ability to recognize things later on.

Q: How does the new research on Alzheimer's challenge current understanding of the disease?

The research argues that Alzheimer's should be reclassified as a double prion disease, caused by two types of incorrectly-folded proteins that act as prions. This challenges the current belief that beta-amyloid plaques and tau tangles are the primary causes of the disease.

Q: What are the potential implications of reclassifying Alzheimer's as a double prion disease?

Reclassifying Alzheimer's could lead to changes in how the disease is diagnosed and treated. Instead of targeting the dead proteins (plaques and tangles), future research may focus on preventing the formation and spread of prions, which are the true disease-causing agents.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Playing Pokémon as a child activates a specific part of the brain called the occipitotemporal sulcus, supporting the hypothesis that brain organization depends on how objects are viewed.

• The nature of objects and how they are seen affects the formation of neural "files" in the brain, and childhood sight is crucial for developing the brain's ability to recognize objects.

• Alzheimer's disease may be caused by two types of incorrectly-folded proteins that act as prions, disrupting brain cell signaling and leading to memory and planning decline.