Crayfish are surprisingly complex decision makers, according to a new study from University of Maryland researchers, who believe the information may help the understanding human brains.
The Maryland psychologists say it's tough to study the human brain this way. And they have concluded that they may be able to adapt what they learn about the neural circuitry and neurochemistry of decision making in the crayfish.
Specifically they took a look at individual crayfish neurons invovled in value-based decisions by presenting a food source and a predator that was either very threatening or less threatening.
The study was published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
"Matching individual neurons to the decision making processes in the human brain is simply impractical for now," said University of Maryland psychologist Jens Herberholz, the study's senior author, in a statement. "History has shown that findings made in the invertebrate nervous systems often translate to more complex organisms. It's unlikely to be exactly the same, but it can inform our understanding of the human brain, nonetheless.
He said the researcher may inform other studies in rodents and primates.
In the crayfish study, the tanks were wired to pick up electrical signals that allowed researchers to identify activation patterns of specific neurons as the crayfish made decisions.
A presence of a strong predator overrode the crayfish's desire for its next meal, showing that the crayfish actually consider the circumstances. A judgement, just like a human.
Photo courtesy of David D. Yager/Jens Herberholz