Nobel Prize awarded for research showing how nerve cells shape feelings
US psychiatrist and neurologist Karl Deisseroth, together with German colleagues Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel, have been awarded a Nobel Prize for work demonstrating how nerve cells shape human feelings.
Three scientists have received this year's Nobel Prize: American psychiatrist and neurologist Karl Deisseroth, along with his German colleagues Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel. The award recognises their joint research into how nerve cells in the brain influence and shape human feelings and emotions.
The recognition places the trio among the recipients of one of the world's most prestigious scientific honours, underscoring the significance of their contribution to neuroscience. Deisseroth's background in psychiatry and neurology allows him to approach brain function from a clinical angle, while his German collaborators bring complementary scientific expertise to the research.
International collaboration
The Nobel Prize is traditionally given to scientists whose discoveries have reshaped or substantially deepened understanding of the human body and the natural world. This year's focus falls on the connection between the nervous system and emotions — a subject relevant to medicine, psychology, and the broader public interest in how the brain generates everyday experience.
The collaboration between the US-based and German researchers highlights the international character of scientific discovery, as major breakthroughs frequently emerge from cooperation across borders. Research into how nerve cells shape feelings could, over time, contribute to a better understanding of mental health conditions, though the source report does not specify particular applications or next steps.
The committee's decision once again confirms that research into the brain and nervous system remains one of the most active and significant fields of science worldwide.
