<p>A new brain scan shows what it looks like when a person runs out of patience or loses self-control.<br /><br /></p>.<p>It would explain why someone who works very hard not to take a second helping of lasagna at dinner winds up taking two pieces of cake at desert. The study could also modify previous thinking that considered self-control to be like a muscle.<br />University of Iowa neuroscientist William Hedgcock confirms previous studies that show self-control is a finite commodity that is depleted by use. Once the pool has dried up, we're less likely to keep our cool the next time we're faced with a situation that requires self-control.But Hedgcock's study is the first to actually show it happening in the brain, using Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (FMRI) images that scan people as they perform self-control tasks, the Journal of Consumer Psychology reports.<br />The images show the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) fires with equal intensity throughout the task. ACC is the part of the brain that recognises a situation in which self-control is needed and says: "Heads up, there are multiple responses to this situation and some might not be good."<br />However, the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) fires with less intensity after prior exertion of self-control. DLPFC is the part of the brain that manages self-control and says: "I really want to do the dumb thing, but I should overcome that impulse and do the smart thing".<br />Hedgcock said that loss of activity in the DLPFC might be the person's self-control draining away. The stable activity in the ACC suggests people have no problem recognising a temptation. Although they keep fighting, they have a harder and harder time not giving in.Researchers gathered their images by placing subjects in an MRI scanner and then had them perform two self-control tasks-the first involved ignoring words that flashed on a computer screen, while the second involved choosing preferred options.<br />Hedgcock says the study is an important step in trying to determine a clearer definition of self-control and to figure out why people do things they know aren't good for them.<br />One possible implication is crafting better programs to help people who are trying to break addictions to things like food, shopping, drugs, or alcohol.</p>
<p>A new brain scan shows what it looks like when a person runs out of patience or loses self-control.<br /><br /></p>.<p>It would explain why someone who works very hard not to take a second helping of lasagna at dinner winds up taking two pieces of cake at desert. The study could also modify previous thinking that considered self-control to be like a muscle.<br />University of Iowa neuroscientist William Hedgcock confirms previous studies that show self-control is a finite commodity that is depleted by use. Once the pool has dried up, we're less likely to keep our cool the next time we're faced with a situation that requires self-control.But Hedgcock's study is the first to actually show it happening in the brain, using Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (FMRI) images that scan people as they perform self-control tasks, the Journal of Consumer Psychology reports.<br />The images show the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) fires with equal intensity throughout the task. ACC is the part of the brain that recognises a situation in which self-control is needed and says: "Heads up, there are multiple responses to this situation and some might not be good."<br />However, the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) fires with less intensity after prior exertion of self-control. DLPFC is the part of the brain that manages self-control and says: "I really want to do the dumb thing, but I should overcome that impulse and do the smart thing".<br />Hedgcock said that loss of activity in the DLPFC might be the person's self-control draining away. The stable activity in the ACC suggests people have no problem recognising a temptation. Although they keep fighting, they have a harder and harder time not giving in.Researchers gathered their images by placing subjects in an MRI scanner and then had them perform two self-control tasks-the first involved ignoring words that flashed on a computer screen, while the second involved choosing preferred options.<br />Hedgcock says the study is an important step in trying to determine a clearer definition of self-control and to figure out why people do things they know aren't good for them.<br />One possible implication is crafting better programs to help people who are trying to break addictions to things like food, shopping, drugs, or alcohol.</p>
