Brain experts win Nobel Prize
October 6, 2014
John O ́Keefe, May‐Britt Moser and Edvard Moser were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine on Monday by the Swedish Academy in Stockholm.
A press release from the Academy said the Nobel Laureates had "discovered a positioning system -- an 'inner GPS' -- in the brain that makes it possible to orient ourselves in space, demonstrating a cellular basis for higher cognitive function."
The winners will share the prize of 8 million Swedish crowns ($1.1 million, 870,000 euros).
O'Keefe has been awarded half the prize, and the Mosers will share the other half.
The official presentation of the award takes place at a ceremony in Stockholm in December.
Research begun in 60s
O'Keefe's research on the subject of the brain's positioning system dates back to the late 1960s. He holds American and British citizenship.
May‐Britt Moser and Edvard Moser, a married Norwegian couple, have been building upon O'Keefe's research since 2006.
According to the Academy, the efforts of the three scientists were recognized for addressing how "the brain creates a map of space surrounding us" and how humans are able to "navigate our way through a complex environment."
Nobel Prizes for literature, economics, peace and chemistry will be awarded as the week goes on.
mz/ipj (AP, dpa, Reuters)