Jet lag slows hamster brains

When a person travels quickly over long distances, the place may not be the only change. When her bodily rhythms get thrown off, she suffers from jet lag , it’s hard to sleep and eat at the right times in the new location. Humans and all living creatures have an internal biological clock that tells them when to sleep, and when to be awake.
In a new study, scientists tested the effects of jet lag on hamsters — which might seem strange, since we don’t usually think of hamsters as world travelers. But what happens to hamsters may happen to humans, too.
Neurons are important cells in the brain. People are born with many of the neurons they’ll have their whole lives. But these cells also continue to be produced by the hippocampus, a part of the brain that helps people store and sort memories, and can move to other parts of the brain.
The hamsters with jet lag produced only about half as many neurons as before. Plus, the hamsters had trouble with basic learning exercises.
So if you have an hamster I don't think it's a good idea to bring him with you on a trip!!!!!!!!!
helene le roux 6a 30/11/10