After 40 long years of studying the brain's internal positioning system, all the hard work paid off for American-British neuroscientist Dr. John O'Keefe. The same is true for husband and wife team Dr. Edvard and May-Britt Moser who has been on Dr. O'Keefe's work since 2005.
Attributing a part of their discovery in 2005 to the work of Dr. O'Keefe, the Mosers discovered the cells of a brain part (later to be known as the entorhinal cortex) that is responsible for navigation as it allows one to judge distance and keep a network of memory of locations through sensory impulses fed by the eyes and the ears.
The 3 scientists are the most recent awardees of the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine. Their study on how the brain works out location and how its processes allows one to navigate from one place to another was recognized by the Nobel committee.
In a recently released statement, the committee said that O'Keefe's and the Mosers work "constitutes a comprehensive positioning system, an inner GPS, in the brain".
The Nobel committee particularly praises the trio for their discovery as it paves way for researchers to have a better perspective on how the human brain actually works. Their work was also commended for the hope it gives to those who are seeking ways to deal with brain disorders (such as Alzheimer's Disease) which are affecting the lives of millions all over the world.
O'Keefe, who is now 75, says that he is still in shock but is at the same time thrilled and delighted to bag what he regards as the "highest accolade" anyone can get.
On what drives the Mosers to work on their Nobel-winning work, May-Britt Moser said "knowledge by itself - to know more about ourselves and our brains and how our brain is working - is extremely important for human beings."