Exploring Curiosity in Neuroscience: A Contextual Analysisof Key Studies from 2020 to 2024

This article analyses the evolution of neuroscience research dedicated to curiosity in the period 2020- 2024 and aims to analyse the relationships between curiosity, neurobiology and cognitive processes. The study explores how neuroscience has mapped curiosity, including research on the neural networks involved, as well as correlations with neurotransmitters (dopamine, norepinephrine, acetylcholine, and oxytocin). Recent findings on the role of uncertainty in triggering curiosity are also discussed and show that states of uncertainty stimulate brain activity associated with curiosity. In addition, the article examines the impact of curiosity on memory and learning, arguing that inducing epistemic uncertainties, such as classroom-directed curiosity, in the educational process can improve information retention. The analysis of recent meta-studies confirms a significant correlation between curiosity and intrinsic motivation, but at the same time reveals discrepancies in the transfer of this motivation to academic performance. As a general conclusion, the study suggests that the in-depth understanding of curiosity can have important applications in education and cognitive psychology, providing directions for optimizing teaching strategies and developing learning environments that are more effective and more suited to the cerebral mechanisms of students' curiosity.