Do cab drivers have bigger hippocampuses?
Do cab drivers have bigger hippocampuses? Structural MRIs of the brains of humans with extensive navigation experience, licensed London taxi drivers, were analyzed and compared with those of control subjects who did not drive taxis. The posterior hippocampi of taxi drivers were significantly larger relative to those of control subjects.
What is Travis Bickle mental illness?
Those with schizotypal personality disorder tend to feel uncomfortable and have a difficult time in social circumstances, although they may still be friendly towards others. In the film Taxi Driver, Robert De Niro's character Travis Bickle seems to be suffering from this disorder.
Do London cabbies have remarkable brains?
“London cabbies have remarkable brains,” said Hugo Spiers, a professor of cognitive neuroscience who is leading the study with several graduate students. “Specifically, their brains' are larger in a region that shrinks early in Alzheimer's disease — the hippocampus.”
Why is Travis so weird in Taxi Driver?
He hates the thugs and filth he sees on the streets while he drives yet he frequents porno theaters and his apartment is constantly a mess. He has a moral compass but again he suffers from insomnia, social awkwardness, and PTSD to a certain extent which leads him to the infamous shootout sequence.
Do taxi drivers have better memory?
Previous studies have shown that taxi drivers have a larger hippocampus compared to non-taxi drivers. This is interesting as this brain region shrinks and becomes damaged in Alzheimer's disease, leading to symptoms of memory loss and confusion associated with the disease.
Does taxi driver have PTSD?
Travis Bickle (Robert DeNiro), age 26, is Taxi Driver's lonely, alienated “hero.” Yes, he's a Vietnam War vet, ex-marine, and likely has his share of PTSD. But, his problems stem from something much deeper than war trauma. He must have suffered some kind of childhood trauma, to be sure.
What are the disadvantages of being a taxi driver?
Research has shown that taxi drivers are at risk for numerous health concerns, such as low back and leg pain, linked to their highly sedentary occupation, long work hours and stressors related to the job (e.g. low income, safety threats).