Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening (delete as applicable) Zombiology Students,
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| This was the most non-explicit image I could find, and I don't recommend typing 'zombie love' into Google Images. |
Today's blog is based on a question from John Burns. He asks, 'can zombies fall in love?' I take this to mean with each other, rather than with him, or at least that's what I hope.
This is by no means an easy question. Scientists have been trying for decades to unlock the mysteries of love and, with the exception of Doctor Rohynpnol (whose work is better left unmentioned), they haven't had much luck.
Excluding my ex-wife, the human brain is the most complex thing currently known of in our universe.
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| Doctor Austin with his ex-wife Mrs Doctor Austin |
Many people say it functions like a powerful computer, but even this isn't an accurate comparison, because we can't yet build a computer that works like our brains.
Similarly it is hard to say that one part of the brain is responsible for just one function. Movement for example is controlled and regulated by many different parts of the brain, not just one.
Recent studies of people going through different types of love seems to bear this out as well.
'Brain regions with decidedly unromantic names, like the dorsolateral middle frontal gyrus and the anterior cingulate, as well chemicals like nerve growth factor, dopamine and oxytocin, are all involved in orchestrating these feelings of love.' (Dobson, 2010)
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| The human brain in love, or playing Call of Duty, I get diagrams easily confused |
Dopamine, a neurotransmitter I've nicknamed 'Brain Crack', is thought to be prime player in love. Known for producing a variety of positive feelings dopamine has shown some interesting qualities during animal tests.
'When a female prairie vole was paired with a male, dopamine levels went up 50 per cent. Levels of oxytocin, (the so-called "cuddle hormone", released in response to stimuli including skin-to-skin contact) likewise go up, as do levels of vasopressin, both promoting relationship bonding. When the female vole was injected with a drug that blocks the activity of dopamine, she lost interest in him.' (Dobson, 2010)
Now we know a little more about what love is doing in the brain, let's apply it to our zombies. Here at the Institute we think zombies will most likely be caused by a new type of prion disease, similar to human mad cow disease (vCJD). All prion diseases cause a unique form of 'spongiform' damage to the brain giving it the appearance of a sponge, or block of Swiss cheese. We also predict that Zombieism prion disease will cause a loss of memory and human personality, giving zombies their trademark absentminded attitude and vacant persona.
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| Spongiformity in the brain, looks like an Aero, but my gosh it doesn't taste like one. |
If we combine these assertions together it doesn't paint a very promising picture for zombies falling in love with each other. Ultimately they won't remember what love is nor have the capacity to make it.
So the answer to John's question, 'can zombies fall in love' is no. No they cannot.
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| The android Data, from Star Trek, also cannot love. Well except in that one episode, but I never saw it. |
Rather than leave on a negative I'll instead share with you some more hopeful lyric's from the Zombie Institute's resident songwriter, Aaron Stoquert:
''cause I don't care, I don't care what you look like tonight
I don't care, I don't care, what you feel like tonight
I don't care, I don't care if we're alive tonight
can you stay here throughout the night--be right next to me?' - (Stoquert, 2011)
I don't care, I don't care, what you feel like tonight
I don't care, I don't care if we're alive tonight
can you stay here throughout the night--be right next to me?' - (Stoquert, 2011)
Thanks again for your question John, and everyone else keep yours coming in to: info@zombiescience.co.uk
Best wishes,
Doctor Austin
Doctor Austin ZITS BSz MSz DPep, is a Theoretical Zombiologist and Head of the Zombie Institute for Theoretical Studies at the University of Glasgow, Scotland UK.
See the Zombie Science 1Z lecture live at:
Manchester Science Festival 2011
Tuesday 25th October 2011
International Anthony Burgess Foundation, Engine House, 3 Cambridge St, Manchester, M1 5BY
Times: 11:00, 14:00, 16:00 (11/2/4pm)
Price: Free (must be booked in advance) Ages 13+
Booking Link: http://msf11zombie.eventbrite.com/
Blackwell's Bookshop Oxford
Wednesday 26th October 2011
Info: Doctor Austin will be delivering a public lecture before signing copies of his book alongside Zombie Handbook UK author Sean T Page.
Blackwells Bookshop, Broad St, Oxford, England, OX1 3BQ
Times: 1900 (7pm) Ages 13+
Price: £2 - Click here for booking information
British & European Society for Gene Therapy Conference - Public Engagement Day
Thursday 27th October 2011
Info: Doctor Austin delivers an all new Zombie Science 1G: Gene Therapy lecture on genetics and gene therapy.
The Brighton Centre, Brighton, England
Times: 1300 (1pm)
Price: Free (Just turn up) Ages 13+
Dundee Science Festival 2011
Saturday 29th October 2011
Venue: 13+ Show: Dalhousie Building,
University of Dundee, DD1 4HN
18+ Show: Dundee University
Students Union, Carnegie Suite,
Airlie Place, DD1 4HP
Times: 13+ Show: 1400 (2pm)
18+ Show: 1900 (7pm)
Price: Free (must be booked in advance)
Click here for the official Festival website & Click here for the Official Site or call (01382) 38 44 13
London Horror Festival 2011
Tuesday 15th November – Thursday 17th November 1930 (7.30pm)
The Courtyard Studio, Bowling Green Walk, 40 Pitfield Street, London, N1 6EU
£12/10
Book online at: http://www.thecourtyard.org.uk/whatson/212/zombie-science-1z
Booking line: +44 (0) 844 477 1000
Bibliography:
Anon. (2011) Dopamine, Psychology Today, http://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/dopamine accessed on 02/10/2011
Dobson, Roger. (2010) Love on the Brain, Independent on Sunday, http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/love-on-the-brain-2096672.html accessed on 02/10/2011
Fischetti, Mark. (2011) Your Brain in Love, Scientific American, http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=your-brain-in-love-graphsci accessed on 02/10/2011
Fisher, Helen. (2004) Biology: Your Brain in Love, Time Magazine, http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,993160-1,00.html accessed on 02/10/2011
Ortigue, Stephanie, et al. (2010) Neuroimaging of Love: fMRI Meta-Analysis Evidence toward New Perspectives in Sexual Medicine, The Journal of Sexual Medicine, Volume 7, Issue 11, p.3541 - 3552, http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2010.01999.x/abstract
Stoquert, Aaron. (2011) I'll See You Again, Run for your Life EP, FiveOhfour Entertainment, [Music Recording]
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