Mice Perform CPR-Like Actions, Showcasing Surprising Empathy Skills!

Quick Smiles:

• Mice show unexpected caregiving actions towards unconscious peers.
• Behavior includes grooming and clearing airways, akin to human CPR.
• Study highlights the release of oxytocin, linking actions to empathy.

In a fascinating study, researchers have uncovered that mice may possess caregiving instincts far more profound than previously recognized. When encountering an unconscious companion, these small creatures engage in actions that resemble first aid.

Li Zhang from the University of Southern California observed that mice, when introduced to an anesthetized peer, spent almost half of a 13-minute period attending to them.

“They start with sniffing, and then grooming, and then with a very intensive or physical interaction,” says Zhang.

This interaction included a remarkable behavior where the attending mouse would open the mouth of its peer and pull out the tongue, a maneuver similar to clearing airways in human CPR.

In more than 50% of trials, this behavior was noted, and it was further tested by inserting non-toxic plastic balls into the mouths of sedated mice.

In 80% of these instances, the attending mouse successfully removed the ball.

These actions ceased once the sedated mouse regained responsiveness, indicating a specific caregiving response.

Interestingly, mice demonstrated more attentive behavior towards those they were familiar with, highlighting a possible social connection.

Cristina Márquez from the Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology in Coimbra, Portugal, remarked on the novelty of these observations.

“I have never observed these types of behaviors when we run experiments in the lab… ”

The study also revealed that this behavior was consistent across three independent laboratories, suggesting a robust finding.

However, Márquez cautioned against attributing human-like intentions to these actions, emphasizing the importance of careful interpretation.

Zhang likened the behavior to using smelling salts or a slap to awaken someone, with airway clearing being a fundamental step in assisting an unconscious individual.

The study further revealed that oxytocin, a hormone linked to empathy and care, was released during these interactions, particularly in the brain’s amygdala and thalamus regions.

This discovery resonates with the sentiment expressed in Robert Burns’ famous poem, “To a Mouse,” reminding us of the deep connections shared across species.

The study serves as a gentle reminder of the intricate social bonds and empathy that may exist even in the smallest of creatures.

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