The scientists' research, spanning almost 30 years, found that dopamine neurons are at the heart of the brain's reward system, affecting behaviour in everything from decision-making, risk-taking and gambling, to drug addiction and schizophrenia. He said dopamine neurons are like “like little devils in our brain that drive us towards more rewards”. The one million euro Brain Prize, given by the Lundbeck Foundation in Denmark, is awarded annually and recognises scientists for outstanding contribution to neuroscience. Colin Blakemore, chairman of the selection committee, said the three scientists' work had helped decipher the way people use and respond to rewards across many aspects of life. “I can hear our dopamine neurons jumping up and down,” he said.

Source: Sunday Times March 06, 2017 16:31 UTC