Study Finds , Petting a Dog , Boosts Brain Activity.
CNN reports that a recent study
took a look at the impact that
petting a dog has on our brains.
According to scientists at the University
of Basel in Switzerland, petting a dog
supercharges our brains. .
Specifically, it activates our frontal cortex,
the part of the brain which oversees
how we think and feel.
Study lead author Rahel Marti, a doctoral student
at the University of Basel, says the findings
further prove the cognitive and emotional
benefits of human-animal therapy.
If patients with deficits in motivation,
attention and socioemotional functioning
show higher emotional involvement in
activities connected to a dog, then such
activities could increase the chance of
learning and of achieving therapeutic aims, Rahel Marti, study lead author, via CNN.
CNN reports that the study backs up research suggesting
that animal-assisted therapy can have a huge impact
on rehabilitation for nervous system conditions.
The study reportedly found a stronger boost
of brain activity when a person petted
real fur as opposed to a stuffed animal.
We found that brain activity increased
when the contact with the dog or a plush
animal became closer. This confirms
previous studies linking closer contact
with animals or control stimuli
with increased brain activation, Rahel Marti, study lead author, via CNN.
We think emotional involvement might be
a central underlying mechanism of brain
activation in human-animal interactions, Rahel Marti, study lead author, via CNN.
The study was published
on October 12 in the journal
'PLOS ONE.'