We now know why we find some jokes funny — thanks to Seinfeld.

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  • Author(s): Owens, Brian (AUTHOR)
  • Source:
    New Scientist. 12/16/2023, Vol. 260 Issue 3469/70, p13-13. 3/4p. 1 Color Photograph.
  • Additional Information
    • Subject Terms:
    • Subject Terms:
    • Abstract:
      Scientists have gained a better understanding of how the brain processes humor by monitoring people's brain activity while watching the sitcom Seinfeld. While several parts of the cortex are involved in processing humor, researchers at the University of Western Ontario in Canada found that the striatum, a deep brain structure, also plays a role. The dorsal striatum helps with understanding jokes by processing ambiguity, while the ventral striatum is responsible for our appreciation of humor. This research could have implications for understanding neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson's disease, which can affect a person's ability to understand humor. [Extracted from the article]
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