The finding could have wider meaning, says Anderson. Damage in that brain area may make people lose control over their collecting. That part of the brain may keep collecting in check. "Damage to a part of the frontal lobes of the cortex, particularly on the right side, was shared by the individuals with abnormal behavior." "A pretty clear finding jumped out at us," says Anderson, in a news release. The abnormal collectors had something else in common.
To ensure accuracy, the researchers also talked to a close relative of each subject (usually a spouse).Ī total of 13 people were classified as "abnormal collectors." They had excessive collections of useless items that began after the brain injury occurred, and they resisted changing their hoarding habits. Participants were interviewed about their collecting behavior. Despite their brain lesions, participants had normal brain function with normal scores on intelligence, reasoning, and memory tests. Abnormal collecting can even disrupt normal life, causing problems for the collector and the people they live with.Ībnormal hoarding behavior following brain injury was recently studied at the University of Iowa's medical school by researchers including Steven Anderson, PhD. People have been known to hoard items compulsively - not out of necessity, appreciation, or financial investment. For instance, some birds can't resist aluminum and bright objects, while hamsters gather glass beads when given the chance.īut in rare cases, collecting gets out of hand in humans.
It's been observed in creatures great and small, from mammals to insects. It's an outlet for expressing passion for just about anything, such as stamps, wine, art, shoes, or Elvis memorabilia.Ĭollecting is also common among animals, and not just for food.
Researchers say they've found an area of the brain that seems to govern the urge to collect.įor most people, collecting is a perfectly healthy behavior. 17, 2004 - Attention, pack rats: science may have figured you out.
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