Three British scientists win 2016 Brain Prize

Three British scientists have won a prestigious 2016 Grete Lundbeck European Brain Research Prize (also known as Brain Prize) for giving vital insight how the human brain remembers, learns and navigates.
These scientists are
Timothy Bliss: He is a visiting worker at the Crick Institute in London.
Graham Collingridge: He is professor of neuroscience in anatomy at the University of Bristol. He is also head of the Department of Physiology at the University of Toronto.
Richard Morris: He is a professor of neuroscience at the University of Edinburgh
Key highlights of their research

• Shown how neurons in the hippocampus collaborate and provide a basis for understanding how humans remember.
• Hippocampus is located deep in the centre of the brain. It is the brain’s learning portal that enables us to store information.
• Shown a phenomenon that is called long-term potentiatione. how the connection between brain cells in the hippocampus can be strengthened through repeated stimulation.
• Their research also provided better tools for understanding serious diseases such as depression, epilepsy and drug addiction.

About Grete Lundbeck European Brain Research Prize

• Grete Lundbeck European Brain Research Prize largest prize for neuroscience in the world.
• It is bestowed upon one or more scientists who have distinguished themselves by an outstanding contribution to European neuroscience and who are still active in research.
• Founded: 2011 by the Lundbeck Foundation of Denmark.
• Prize carries: monetary award of Denmark’s one million euro ($1,45,751).
• Prize criteria: It is awarded to scientist of any nationality although, research for which they are nominated must be carried in Europe or in collaboration with European researchers.

Month: Current Affairs - March, 2016