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The metaphor "rat race" may soon a more literal meaning. This is because scientists have been rats to drive a tiny, purpose- car around a laboratory. Neuroscientist Dr Kelly Lambert from the University of Richmond in the USA has been with the car- rodents since 2019. Speaking to the online news agency "The Conversation," she that the creatures not only to rev the engines of their miniature vehicles, they to "get a kick out of it". She said: "Unexpectedly, we that the rats had an intense motivation for their driving training, often jumping into the car and revving the 'lever engine' before their vehicles the road."

Lambert's study was to the relationship between rats and their environments. She to find out how their cognition , and how they processed new skills. In her tests, she one group of lab rats in a space that contained many toys and companions. The other test rodents were in an area with no toys and fewer friends. Dr Lambert trained the rats to driving with a sweet cereal reward. Those in the more enriched environment learned to faster. Dr Lambert concluded her research findings the idea that complex environments enhanced neuroplasticity. This is the brain's ability to and reorganize connections in response to .