Octopuses are fascinating creatures that have puzzled scientists for years because of their ability to solve complicated problems and their unique biochemistry. In a new study published in the journal Current Biology, researchers implanted electrodes into the skin of three octopuses of the species Octopus cyanea to record their brain activity. The electrodes were placed in the octopuses’ vertical upper frontal and median frontal lobes and connected to a recording device on the animal’s mantle. The device recorded the octopuses’ brain activity for 12 hours continuously.
The researchers also attached video cameras to record the octopuses’ actions and compare the recorded brain activity with their behavior. The patterns of brain activity recorded included some that were similar to those observed in mammals as well as other patterns that cannot yet be explained. These patterns did not correlate with any of the behaviors seen in the videos.
Cephalopods are the only invertebrates that have evolved large and complex brains, making them the perfect animal to study the brain compared to mammals. Research on octopus brains could help scientists better understand how the brain works and how advanced cognitive abilities develop. While this study is only the first step, the technique used means that scientists now have the ability to look inside the brains of octopuses as they perform specific tasks, which could be exciting for future research.