Brain wave

The news that scientists have met with some success in their search for the neurological foundations of religious belief – the so-called "God spot" – inspires somewhat mixed feelings.

The results are a fascinating insight into how the human brain functions, but a nagging feeling remains that all this poking about in our grey matter does not really get us any closer to a definitive explanation of faith.

Of course, it is understandable that these eminent neuroscientists have been searching for an insight into the biggest question of all.

But it would be a shame if they were to neglect the lesser mysteries of human existence. Here are some they might care to work on: why do we sometimes enter a room and forget what it was we came in for? What makes us stay for "just one more" drink? And whatever possessed us to think that collateralised debt obligations might be a good idea? Research please, scientists.