Reading a novel triggers lasting changes in the brain
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/270640.php Saturday 28 December 2013 - 12am PST at 28 Dec 2013 - 12am PST Neurology / Neuroscience Lovers of literature can rejoice: a new study combines the humanities and neuroscience to take a look at what effects reading a novel can have on the brain. Researchers say exploring a book can not only change your perspective, but also it can change your mind - at least for a few days. The researchers, from Emory University in Atlanta, GA, published their findings in the journal Brain Connectivity . Neuroscientist Gregory Berns, lead author and director of Emory's Center for Neuropolicy, says: "Stories shape our lives and in some cases help define a person. We want to understand how stories get into your brain, and what they do to it." To investigate the inner workings of the novel-reading mind, the researchers recruited 21 undergraduates from Emory, who were instructed to read a thriller written by Rob...