Rat study helps pinpoint brain's 'tickle' centre
A Germany-based study in rats has pinpointed the 'tickle centre' of the mammalian brain, showing for the first time that stimulating neurons in that region cause the rodents to emit ultrasonic squeaks similar to human laughter. Brain activity records show that the rats' 'somatosensory cortex' not only responded to the tickling sensation, but also triggered the 'giggles' that followed.