no way to be 100% sure of this but IMHO -
Before receiving whatever implant, electrode, medicine etc. the mad scientists torture these animals with:
(probably) Unlike humans, lab rats don't read books and then go perform the meditation exercises according to instruction so as to give themselves superpowers by activating targeted brain cells in sections that govern the proximate function(s).
Esoteric ways to heighten superpowers began being discovered and used by shamans how many thousands of years ago?
So now, scientists use advanced technology to give human-like superpowers to lab rats. Just because they can. For money and bragging rights to who can satisfy curiousity about of such an experiment. Seems like the stupider the idea, the more money and bigger glory there is for it.
So, once again, one asks oneself, What could happen?
One answers oneself - Plenty.
RATS !!! brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!
eq. Mad Scientists + The 100th Monkey Theory = Domino Effect
Bradbury...Frankenstein...The Island of Dr. Moreau...
Last and First Men...Ratatouille...Castaneda...