[bitontheslide]

Learning to drive small cars helps rats feel less stressed, scientists found.

Researchers at the University of Richmond in the US taught a group of 17 rats how to drive little plastic cars, in exchange for bits of cereal.

Study lead Dr Kelly Lambert said the rats felt more relaxed during the task, a finding that could help with the development of non-pharmaceutical treatments for mental illness.

The rats were not required to take a driving test at the end of the study.

Dr Lambert and her colleagues built a tiny electric car by attaching a clear plastic jar to an aluminium plate, fitted to a set of wheels.

A copper wire was then threaded horizontally across the jar - the cab of the car - to form three bars, left, right and centre.

To drive the car, a rat would sit on the aluminium plate and touch the copper wire. The circuit was then complete, and the animal could select the direction in which they wanted to travel.

After months of training, the rats learned not only how to make the car move but also how to change direction, researchers wrote in the journal Behavioural Brain Research.

Some of the rats in the experiment had been raised in a lab, while others lived in "enriched environments" - that is, they had more natural habitats.

The rats raised in "enriched environments" were significantly better drivers than the lab rats.

After the trials, researchers collected the rats' faeces to test for the stress hormone corticosterone, as well as for dehydroepiandrosterone, an anti-stress hormone.

All of the rats had higher levels of dehydroepiandrosterone, which the scientists believe could be linked to the satisfaction of having learned a new skill.

Dr Lambert told AFP news agency that the findings could prove useful for future research into treatments for different psychiatric conditions.

"There's no cure for schizophrenia or depression, and we need to catch up," she said.

"I think we need to look at different animal models and different types of tasks and really respect that behaviour can change our neurochemistry."

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-50167812

[Niamh.]

I wonder did they have a rat race

[UserSince2005]

I wouldnt believe this possible if i hadnt have seen Ratatouille

[arista]

Yes the Power of Food.

[The Slim Reaper]

Is that a FiRat Panda?

[Toy Soldier]

I WANT ONE! I'd just let the little fella drive around the living room all day, it would be so good

[Dogeatdog]

Tiny rats driving round in tiny rat rods. What a brilliant idea, they could have there own show on DMAX. I’d watch that

[Liam-]

Even rats can drive before me

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Liam-

Even rats can drive before me

They're not called roadents for nothing

[Toy Soldier]

I hope their brakes aren't squeaking

[Ammi]

[Dogeatdog]

Will they rat each other out when caught speeding?

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Ammi

Definitely won't fall into that trap Ammi

[Dogeatdog]

What if they break down? How do they describe the problem the car has?

“It’s making a rat a tat tat sound”?

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

Definitely won't fall into that trap Ammi

...yeah, you’re not going to be rattled by those traps at all...

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by Big Evil

What if they break down? How do they describe the problem the car has?

“It’s making a rat a tat tat sound”?

...in the tail end...?...

[parmnion]

What on earth is the point...we already know humans and driving does not reduce stress levels..

[Toy Soldier]

I've just heard the rat in the OP has had his licence taken away. Persistent tailgating.

[Toy Soldier]

Originally Posted by parmnion

What on earth is the point...we already know humans and driving does not reduce stress levels..

Depends on the driving Parm. Lots of people enjoy (unobstructed) motorway driving and country driving, it's a simple focus like meditation.

Obviously a very different story for in-town driving which is stressful af.

[Dogeatdog]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

I've just heard the rat in the OP has had his licence taken away. Persistent tailgating.

I doubt he will give a rats ass that his licence is taken away.

[parmnion]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

Depends on the driving Parm. Lots of people enjoy (unobstructed) motorway driving and country driving, it's a simple focus like meditation.

Obviously a very different story for in-town driving which is stressful af.

True ..but that's Jeremy Clarkson types who enjoy a drive..


Now I'm stressed cause I'm thinking of him and his bushy head and smarmy voice.

[parmnion]

https://youtu.be/1rnL1l4kN3Y


Kinda screwed if they want to take the kids on the school run though.

[Cherie]

do they reverse in to a bay though

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by Big Evil

I doubt he will give a rats ass that his licence is taken away.

...there’s g-rat-itude for you for having a licence...

[Dogeatdog]

Originally Posted by Cherie

do they reverse in to a bay though

Now we are asking the important questions.