In a recent study, published in Cell, researchers observe the mechanisms in the brain for switching between internal and external stimuli can be defined and controlled or corrected. The research in this case was performed on mice, not humans, but principal investigator and NYU Langone Medical Center assistant professor Michael Halassa sees this as a huge step toward understanding and manipulating the same functions in humans.

“This is one of the few moments in my life where I’d actually say yes, absolutely this is going to translate to humans. This isn’t something based on genes or molecules that are specific to one organism. The underlying principles of how the brain circuitry works are likely to be very similar in humans and mice.”

If so, then the research is extremely promising for the future. Read more about it in THIS WASHINGTON POST ARTICLE.

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