文字稿

主要工作地點(diǎn)在英國(guó)的三位科學(xué)家被授予了享有盛譽(yù)的大腦獎(jiǎng)（ The Brain Prize ），并共同領(lǐng)取了一百萬歐元的獎(jiǎng)金。他們對(duì)大腦“獎(jiǎng)賞回路”的研究及解讀揭示了我們?yōu)楹蜗胍ベ?gòu)物、吃飯甚至是登月的深層原因。獲得回報(bào)是我們能保持生命力的必要因素之一，但失去控制的大腦獎(jiǎng)賞中心會(huì)導(dǎo)致一系列無節(jié)制的強(qiáng)迫性行為。請(qǐng)聽 Fergus Walsh 的報(bào)道。

Should I eat in that restaurant? Should I apply for a new job? Where should I go on holiday? What underpins our decision-making is a chemical in the brain called dopamine, which is released whenever there is a reward, such as a pleasant taste. It helps motivate us, and has been essential through evolution for human and animal development.

A strong dopamine response can drive us to repeat the same behaviour or strive for greater success. The dopamine reward pathway in the brain can also spiral out of control leading to compulsive behaviour and drug addiction.

The three neuroscientists, who share the million-euro prize given by the Lundbeck Foundation in Denmark, are all based in the UK, which has a track record of world-leading brain research. Their work will help in the development of treatments for patients with psychiatric illnesses like schizophrenia where the reward system goes wrong.

詞匯表

underpins 構(gòu)成，支持
decision-making 決策過程
dopamine （化學(xué)）多巴胺
released 被釋放
reward 獎(jiǎng)賞，獎(jiǎng)勵(lì)
strive （長(zhǎng)期艱難地）奮斗、努力
pathway （生物體中的）一連串化學(xué)反應(yīng)
spiral out of control 急劇失控
neuroscientists 神經(jīng)科學(xué)家
track record 記錄、業(yè)績(jī)
psychiatric 神經(jīng)病學(xué)的
schizophrenia 精神分裂癥

測(cè)驗(yàn)

請(qǐng)聽報(bào)道并回答下列問題。

1. When does the brain release dopamine, according to the text?

2. What could happen if the dopamine reward pathway in the brain goes out of control?

3. True or false? The UK is known for its world-leading achievements in brain research.

4. Which word in the text means 'unable to stop doing something'?

答案

1. When does the brain release dopamine, according to the text?
According to the text, the brain releases a chemical called dopamine whenever there is a reward, such as a pleasant taste.

2. What could happen if the dopamine reward pathway in the brain goes out of control?
If the dopamine reward pathway in the brain spirals out of control, the result could be compulsive behaviour and drug addiction.

3. True or false? The UK is known for its world-leading achievements in brain research.
True. The UK has a track record of world-leading brain research.

4. Which word in the text means 'unable to stop doing something?
Compulsive.