Researchers have identified a small cluster of neurons located in an evolutionarily old part of the brain. These neurons function like an innate mechanism for attention, enabling the brain to filter out irrelevant stimuli and concentrate on essential information.
In experiments with mice, scientists were able to temporarily deactivate these specific neurons. When this occurred, the animals exhibited a marked increase in distractibility, a behavior that mirrors symptoms observed in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Crucially, the mice’s ability to focus returned to normal levels once the neurons were reactivated.
Translation to English:
Scientists have identified a small group of neurons in an ancient region of the brain that functions as a built-in focus filter, assisting the brain in disregarding distractions and honing in on what is most important. When researchers temporarily switched off these neurons in mice, the animals became unusually prone to distraction—akin to what is observed in ADHD—but their normal focus was restored as soon as the neurons were reactivated.