SCIENTISTS in Germany have made a unique discovery about brains, fun and laughter by tickling rats.
The intriguing study at Berlin's Humboldt University saw researchers tickling the rodents on their bellies or backs while at the same time monitoring their brain activity.
Apparently rat "laughter" is too high-pitched for the human ear, but can be captured with special microphones, and a so-called "humour centre" in their midbrain is activated when they are enjoying themselves.
Lead researcher Michael Brecht, whose previous work had also found the creatures are quite good at playing hide-and-seek, noted that "rats are very ticklish and playful animals".
The research highlighted an area of the brain called the periaqueductal grey which appeared to be associated with the enjoyable activity, with a further phase of investigation set to look at whether similar effects are seen in other playful mammals.
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