Snails use only two neurons to make decisions

This new finding by British scientists promises to open a big leap in the creation of the most minimalistic robot brain yet ensuring the highest performance.

If the human brain has to mobilize millions of brain cells to think about a decision, the snail really needs only two brain cells to do it.

Picture 1 of Snails use only two neurons to make decisions
Snails really just need two brain cells to think about.

According to ScienceDaily, researchers come from University. Sussex, the United Kingdom has discovered a rather unexpected mystery. They found a control circuit, splitting into two different neurons, and activated when freshwater snail decided to move in a certain direction.

Earlier, the team used electrodes to measure the activity of the snail's brain during their search for food as lettuce.

"There are two types of neurons (neurons) that are activated in the brain of freshwater snails," the team said. One is a type of control neuron that allows the brain to identify the current food source. Meanwhile, the other type of neuron sends a brain stimulation signal - for example, feeling full or hungry.

Picture 2 of Snails use only two neurons to make decisions
There are two types of neurons (neurons) activated in the brain of freshwater snails.

When no food is detected, the nervous system controls and directs the direction of movement to save energy as much as possible.

In fact, an animal's decision making needs to be based on a variety of factors, both external and internal , such as neurons.

Lead researcher, Professor George Kemenes, from University. Sussex, said: "Activities that occur in the human brain when making a decision, behaving complicated are difficult to grasp."

"Our study for the first time shows that, with only two neurons, the animal's brain can produce mechanisms to promote and optimize the process of making complex decisions. "We will help scientists identify many different neuronal core systems, thereby creating the basis for making similar decisions," Kemenes added.

Picture 3 of Snails use only two neurons to make decisions
The decision making of an animal needs to be based on many factors both in its external environment and its internal factors.

Besides, Kemenes also believes that the team's findings will open a new direction of development on robots.

In the future, the robot's brain may not need superior structures but still be able to perform complex tasks.

It is known that the above research of scientists comes from the University. Sussex has been published in Nature Communications.