Science Snapshot: Circuits of Action and Suppression

EN Suppressing the urge to act until the time is right is a crucial, often overlooked, aspect of behaviour. Just think about what might happen if you pressed the gas before the traffic light turned green. How does the brain keep the urge to act in check? Scientists from CR’s Learning lab discovered an answer - an impulsivity switch in the brain. In their study, published in Nature, the team presents a brain area responsible for driving action and another for suppressing that drive. They also describe how manipulating neurons in these areas could trigger impulsive behaviour. Study reference: Bruno F Cruz, Gonçalo Guimar, Sofia Soares, Asma Motiwala, Christian K. Machens, Joseph J Paton. Action suppression reveals opponent parallel control via striatal circuits. (2022). Nature. doi: PT Suprimir o desejo de agir até ao momento certo é um aspeto crucial, muitas vezes esquecido, do comp