文字稿

主要工作地點在英國的三位科學家被授予了享有盛譽的大腦獎（ The Brain Prize ），并共同領取了一百萬歐元的獎金。他們對大腦“獎賞回路”的研究及解讀揭示了我們為何想要去購物、吃飯甚至是登月的深層原因。獲得回報是我們能保持生命力的必要因素之一，但失去控制的大腦獎賞中心會導致一系列無節制的強迫性行為。請聽 Fergus Walsh 的報道。

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

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

The three neuroscientists, who share the million-euro prize given by the Lundbeck Foundation in Denmark, are all based in the UK, which has a track record of world-leading brain research. Their work will help in the development of treatments for patients with psychiatric illnesses like schizophrenia where the reward system goes wrong.

詞匯表

underpins 構成，支持
decision-making 決策過程
dopamine （化學）多巴胺
released 被釋放
reward 獎賞，獎勵
strive （長期艱難地）奮斗、努力
pathway （生物體中的）一連串化學反應
spiral out of control 急劇失控
neuroscientists 神經科學家
track record 記錄、業績
psychiatric 神經病學的
schizophrenia 精神分裂癥

測驗

請聽報道并回答下列問題。

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

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

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

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

答案

1. When does the brain release dopamine, according to the text?
According to the text, the brain releases a chemical called dopamine whenever there is a reward, such as a pleasant taste.

2. What could happen if the dopamine reward pathway in the brain goes out of control?
If the dopamine reward pathway in the brain spirals out of control, the result could be compulsive behaviour and drug addiction.

3. True or false? The UK is known for its world-leading achievements in brain research.
True. The UK has a track record of world-leading brain research.

4. Which word in the text means 'unable to stop doing something?
Compulsive.