主要工作地点在英国的三位科学家被授予了享有盛誉的大脑奖（ The Brain Prize），并共同领取了一百万欧元的奖金。他们对大脑“奖赏回路”的研究及解读揭示了我们为何想要去购物、吃饭甚至是登月的深层原因。获得回报是我们能保持生命力的必要因素之一，但失去控制的大脑奖赏中心会导致一系列无节制的强迫性行为。请听Fergus Walsh 的报道

语音报道

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

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

The three neuroscientists, who share the million-euro prizegiven by the Lundbeck Foundation in Denmark, are all based in theUK, which has a track record of world-leading brain research. Theirwork will help in the development of treatments for patients withpsychiatric illnesses like schizophrenia where the reward systemgoes wrong.

词汇表

underpins 构成，支持

decision-making 决策过程

dopamine （化学）多巴胺

released 被释放

reward 奖赏，奖励

strive （长期艰难地）奋斗、努力

pathway （生物体中的）一连串化学反应

spiral out of control 急剧失控

neuroscientists 神经科学家

track record 记录、业绩

psychiatric 神经病学的

schizophrenia 精神分裂症

问题与答案

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

According to the text, the brain releases a chemical calleddopamine whenever there is a reward, such as a pleasant taste.

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

If the dopamine reward pathway in the brain spirals out ofcontrol, the result could be compulsive behaviour and drugaddiction.

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

True. The UK has a track record of world-leading brainresearch.

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

Compulsive.