Surprise! Whether unexpectedly confronted with a birthday cake, a snarling dog, or an emergency alert, brains sometimes have precious little time to take in the surroundings and assess the best possible responses. A paper published Wednesday in Nature finds that, in mice, startling stimuli cause the locus coeruleus to release norepinephrine (also known as noradrenaline), aiding in the brain’s ability to focus and learn in the moment. Norepinephrine has long been known for its role in the fight or flight response, and this study shows that its contributions to neuromodulation are more widespread throughout the brain than previously appreciated.
Science Snapshot: How Brains Handle Surprise Parties
When unexpected events occur, norepinephrine signals mouse brains to pay attention to key details.
Written byLisa Winter
Lisa Winter became social media editor for The Scientist in 2017. In addition to her duties on social media platforms, she also pens obituaries for the website. She graduated from Arizona State University, where she studied genetics, cell, and developmental biology.
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Meet the Author
Lisa joined The Scientist in 2017. As social media editor, some of her duties include creating content, managing interactions, and developing strategies for the brand’s social media presence. She also contributes to the News & Opinion section of the website. Lisa holds a degree in Biological Sciences with a concentration in genetics, cell, and developmental biology from Arizona State University and has worked in science communication since 2012.
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