Because they can't ethically subject youth to alcohol to study its effects, researchers use the developing brains of rats to understand the effects of «intermittent alcohol exposure» — the equivalent of drinking to a blood - alcohol level of.08 (the legal limit for driving while impaired) three or four nights a week. (sciencedaily.com)
In addition, the researchers examined the brains of the rats to identify changes in biological function. (sciencedaily.com)
To explore the idea, he dissected the brains of rats, staining both ipRGCs and pain - signaling neurons to trace their paths.The ipRGCs connect to pain neurons in the thalamus, he found, suggesting that exposure to light could disturb pain - signaling neurons as well. (discovermagazine.com)